148 BROADLAND SPORT 



and sedge, stepping gently over the broad water-lily leaves, 

 and picking insects from the herbage as they seek their even- 

 ing meal; the water-hen chirrups to his mate, they also 

 seek supper before retiring to rest in the low alder 

 bushes ; white-faced coots, which during the day have been 

 splashing in the broad, betake themselves to some favourite 

 island in the sedges, where they prune their dusky feathers 

 and make their toilet with the perfect security that evening- 

 tide brings ; wood-pigeons or ring-doves pass and repass, 

 taking their flight either to the fir trees, where it is their 

 intention to pass the night, or else to some well-known bush, 

 which they make use of to descend to the water's edge to 

 take a nightcap to assist the digestion of the contents of their 

 well-nigh bursting crop ; the heron returning from the marsh 

 utters his harsh " f-f-f-rank," and should he alight upon a fir- 

 tree near to the ambush, he will disgust one with the un- 

 gentlemanly utterances which he gives forth before he takes 

 himself to rest ; the water vole contentedly munches the sedge 

 roots, and perchance the splashing of an otter is heard as it 

 enters the water. 



At the beginning of the night these and many other 

 sights and sounds of interest may be noted by the flight 

 shooter from his ambush. Thus far, he will content himself 

 with observing only ; he will not disturb the scene by draw- 

 ing trigger, he will await the coming of the fowl .or other 

 quarry more worthy of his cartridge. Perhaps his first shot 

 will be at a woodcock, which flits silently from some low- 

 lying alder carr to a favourite clump of holly trees upon an 

 upland bank adjoining the marsh land. Perhaps it will be 

 a snipe, both of them difficult shots in the uncertain light of 

 evening-tide. 



The retriever which has had a careful training will not 

 permit these incidents and signs of life to pass by un- 

 observed ; very little will escape its attention, and if he be 

 watched, many a sign will be brought to notice which would 

 otherwise have escaped. Suddenly he cocks his head on one 

 side, looks up and surveys the horizon around him; his ears 



