WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 311 



given to the owner of the craft, and four annas to each of the 

 two boatmen ; and if a few birds of the less choice species 

 be added, complete satisfaction will be afforded. 



It is usual to take a second boat as a tender, to recon- 

 noitre, to pick up wounded birds, and to make itself generally 

 useful in many ways. The duty of retrieving the wounded 

 calls for promptitude, perseverance, and keen vision, with- 

 out which many birds will succeed in escaping, especially 

 among water-lilies and cabbages, under which they conceal 

 themselves with the greatest cunning, to fall victims ulti- 

 mately to the great eagles and hawks, or to those large and 

 voracious fishes the " boalee " and the " sal." The number 

 of shots fired at disabled ducks and pochards, before they 

 are finally killed and hauled on board is astonishing ; as 

 swimming with the body submerged and the top of the head 

 only showing above water, they appear to see the shot coming 

 and to dive in good time to avoid it. For the purpose of 

 retrieving such I have found a second gun loaded with 

 No. 6 or 7 shot very useful, it being inexpedient to waste on 

 these dodgers cartridges heavily charged for long ranges with 

 No. 2 or 3. 



I have remarked that gadwals, pintails, and red-crested 

 pochards lie closer among weeds and lilies in the centres of 

 great "j heels," between one and four in the afternoon than 

 at any other times, rising then singly or in small numbers as 

 the canoe is propelled towards them at ranges varying from 

 seventy to eighty yards, rarely less, though far too often at 

 greater distances; but now and again some less wary bird 

 will fall a victim to his sleepiness at a shorter range. At 

 such times a really good shot provided with a strong shooting 

 12-bore, loaded with wire cartridges of No. 2 or 3 shot may 

 enjoy fine sport, although he may not make rapid additions 

 to the day's bag, since many a winged bird will infallibly 

 elude his search. 



Having made the experiment of duck-shooting by the 

 light of the moon at or near its full, I am unable to write in 

 its favour ; because, notwithstanding that the birds may be 



