Wild-Geese on the Sand-hills 131 



to remember his wonted haunts. We do not complain, nmch 

 less despair. Such are the underlying, fundamental conditions 

 of wildfowliuo; in all lands. To a nature-lover the wildness of 

 the scene, with its unique conditions and environment are ever 

 sufficient reward. 



Roughly speaking, from a dozen to a score of geese may be 

 reckoned as a fair averaoe mornino's work for one gun. The 

 following figures, selected from our game -books, indicate the 

 degree of success that rewards exceptional skill. In each instance 

 they apply to but one fowler, tliough two guns (12-bores) may 

 have been employed. 



Remarks. 

 Later in day, shot 46 ducks in the marisma close by. 

 Later, sliot 25 ducks, 16 snipe. — B. F. B. 



(A second gunner shot but three.) 



Westerly gale kept filling hole with sand ; half my time 

 spent in new excavation. — -W. J. B. 



Three guns on sand-hills, 4 + 74-22 = 33 geese. 

 Shots fired, 44. Later in day, shot 55 ducks, 3 snipe = 100 

 head.— B. F. B. 



Tlie record.— (B. F. B.) 



H.M. King Alfonso XIIL, S geese; Marq. de Viana, 5 = 11 

 geese (an unfavourable morning). 



Two guns (second at Cauo de la Casquera), 12 + 28 = 40 geese. 



Possibly the larger totals are unsurpassed in the world's 

 records. By way of contrast we append what may perchance 

 be discovered in the note-book of the veracious tyro : — 



"Went out three mornings at three, emptied three cartridge-bags at 

 ridiculous ranges, fluked three geese, and scared three thousand. 



Instructions in shooting Wild-Geese 



Where the main object is close quarters, ordinary 12-bore 

 guns suffice. But since geese are very strong and heavily clad, 

 large shot is a necessity, say No. 1. 



Thirty to thirty-five yards should be regarded as the outside 

 range, with forty yards as an extreme limit. The latter, however, 



