306 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



and lots of white, fleecy clouds are by far the best condi- 

 tions for showing up the birds to advantage. I n autumn, 

 about harvest-time, excellent moonlight shooting may 

 be got when the birds are passing to feed on crop, 

 stubble, or potato ground. Barley and potato fields 

 are the favourite attractions, and the best situation for 

 the gun in a field of grain will be at any " laid " spot 

 near the centre of the field. 



Morning 



At dawn, for about the same space of time, the 

 birds may be intercepted returning from their feeding- 

 grounds to their resting-grounds for the day. This is 

 rarely so satisfactory as evening flighting, as the birds 

 do not conform to the same regular line of flight, and 

 usually return to their resting-ground in large packs. 

 Good sport, however, can sometimes be got by an alert 

 "gun" posted by a creek or channel leading from the 

 sea to the feeding-ground. The birds will nearly always 

 follow this line of flight when returning at dawn to the 

 sea. 



Day Flighting 



Very good day flighting may sometimes be got in 

 rough weather when the birds are driven from the 

 open sea or lochs and are making for more sheltered 

 quarters. 



