Sporting Notes in tlie Far East. 125 



the daytime, and to lying in wait in the evening, at which time 

 many additional birds will fly in from the sea to feed during the 

 ni^ht. A decoy and a duck call will often come in very useful in 

 this shooting, only you must he careful in frosty weather, not to 

 get the decoy frozen in, which means taking to the icy cold water 

 yourself which is far from pleasant ; besides which, by the time 

 you get home, your nether garments are likely to be as hard as 

 boards. One of the most likely duck marshes that I can recom- 

 mend, is on the Island of Yong Jong \ and for want of a better 

 name, it used to be known as the " Linnet's marsh." 



The whole of the duck shooting only lasts while the weather 

 remains open ; as when once the paddy begins to get frozen over 

 birds are unable to procure food, and they wing their way further 

 south to more salubrious climes ; returning again in the early 

 spring, when they are commencing to pair, on their way up North 

 to breed. 



When after geese, wait in the marshes adjoining the beach. 

 There is always a sea-wall across the seaward end of these swamps, 

 and by ensconsing oneself behind a part of this embankment, in a 

 favourite track for geese, it will not be hard to be successful ; as 

 these birds when dropping in during the gloaming, fly very slowly, 

 and although you may not see them, their cry will give ample warning 

 of their approach. 



In the daytime, the geese are all out on the great tidal mud flats, 



