THE WIGEON. 103 



surface ; and were at various distances, not exceeding a mile, from 

 the shore. To these the shooters resorted when the ebbing tide 

 had left the banks sufficiently bare for their access at the usual 

 flying-time of the birds ; — from the commencement of dusk until 

 quite dark, or, for about twenty minutes. This regular flight 

 over, the wigeon continue feeding about where they aliglited, on 

 the watery ooze, and do not " fly " again, if the night be dark, 

 but if moonlight, they partially fly at intervals, from one part of 

 the feeding-ground to another, so long as the banks are uncovered 

 by the tide. If the moon, therefore, were soon to rise after the 

 first flight, the shooters would remain for two or three hours in 

 their barrels. In addition to the birds which get up of their own 

 accord, others, disposed to be quiescent, would now be raised to 

 flight by the report of the guns, and more being thus on wing 

 over the feeding-ground, afforded a greater number of shots. 

 After the regular flying-time, the shooter had another chance 

 when the flowing tide lifted the wigeon on its surface, and 

 brought them within shot of his barrel. This, of coarse, was 

 always filled with water when the shooter first went to it, so that, 

 for the purpose of baling it out, he had to be provided with a 

 small bucket, which, turned upside-down after that operation, 

 served as a seat in the barrel. When properly "appointed," he 

 was attended by a water-spaniel, who lay close at his feet in the 

 barrel, and served to keep his lower extremities warm. A success- 

 ful shot being made, the dog sallied out to pick up the victims, 

 in doing which, practice made liim wonderfully expert, and intel- 

 ligence taught him to secure the wounded before lifting the dead 

 birds. The dog took fully as much delight in the sport as his 

 master, and looked out as anxiously for the approaching wild-fowl. 

 As the season advanced, the wigeon became very wary, from 

 persecution, and sprang high into the air on coming within range 

 of any well-marked object on the banks, such as the barrel,' 

 &c, A black hat, especially, was so easily seen by them, that 

 the shooters were obliged to wear caps, though not more of the 

 head than sufficed to enable them to see around, was exposed 

 above the edge of the barrel. Wigeon, on perceiving any object 



