WILD-FOWL SHOOTING ON THE HIGHLAND LOCHS. 157 



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 knoivs 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 agreeable 

 to the sportsman's eye. They are the most stupid of all the 

 diver race : I have even seen them, after having been driven 

 from their feeding-ground, return in the face of the shooter, 

 who had only lain down, without any covering or conceal- 

 ment whatever : they have begun diving again within thirty 

 yards, and of course given him an excellent shot. I never 

 wish for assistance in manoeuvring any other kind of water- 

 fowl, but these may be herded like sheep ; and if they are 

 feeding on one side of a bay, you have only to conceal your- 

 self at the other, and send your man round to where they are 

 diving. They will most likely come straight towards you, 

 and, again beginning to feed, will probably every five or ten 

 minutes draw all together with their heads up. Now is your 

 time to fire, if you have the good fortune to be within shot ; 

 but should you prefer two birds in the hand to waiting for 



