WILDFOWLING 305 



can be got on stormy nights and in frost. On a fine 

 night the birds will fly too high, and will very probably 

 not start for their feeding-ground till considerably after 

 sundown, at which time it is impossible to see them 

 except against a white cloud. The flighter should 

 never be without a reliable dog, but he should not allow 

 the dog to range for every bird that drops. Runners 

 and birds which have dropped into the water should be 

 retrieved at once, as also birds dropped in soft mud, as 

 the latter are frequently so deeply embedded, that if not 

 picked up at once, they can rarely be found. Except 

 in day flighting, when one can mark his birds down, 

 it is wise always to listen for the result of a passing shot, 

 as frequently a fast bird will drop with a considerable 

 thud far behind the gun. A flighter should always be 

 most careful to see that his dog is thoroughly dried on 

 returning home, as the cold and the effect of the sea- 

 water invariably, sooner or later, bring on rheumatism 

 and deafness. 



Times of Flighting Evening 



In the evening for about half an hour just at twi- 

 light, when the birds pass from their resting-ground at 

 sea to their feeding-ground on some inland loch, burn, 

 or estuary. 



Moonlight Flighting 



It is a mistaken idea that a clear, cloudless sky is 



best adapted for this form of shooting. A good moon 

 20 



