226 WILD -FOWL SHOOTING 



In recommending this, be it observed, I am supposing 

 the ground of difficult access ; when favourable, even a 

 novice should be able to get within a run of any number of 

 fowl, without being seen by the most wary of the flock, 

 and can then make his selection. For my own part, I 

 hardly ever adopt this plan ; but where the ground is bare 

 and open, an unpractised wild-fowl shooter would stand no 

 chance otherwise. 



When the flock is large, it always puzzles a beginner to 

 ascertain the length of time they are under water, in order 

 to know what time he may safely allow for his last run, 

 which in such a case must generally be a long one. The 

 fowl are continually coming up and disappearing again, 

 which confuses him ; and unless he knows the depth of the 

 water, the only way to find out how long they are under is 

 to watch the most marked or detached of the flock, and 

 then choose his devoted pair. If the water is very shallow, 

 those below are sure to perceive the flurry made by their 

 friends at the top, as soon as you commence your last run, 

 and instantly join them in their retreat. In such cases it is 

 always best to try for a distant sitting shot, from the 

 nearest refuge you can safely reach, among as many as you 

 can get in line. But by attempting this, there is always a 

 risk of losing the chance altogether, and it should never be 

 resorted to except under such circumstances, or with dun- 

 birds, who keep more close together, and thus present a 

 better opportunity for a heavy sitting shot than any other 

 divers. 



Of all wild-fowl, a flock of dun-birds is the most agree- 



