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century with lime placed on strings and twigs. Receipts for poisoned bait are given 
in some of the old books (Gentlemen’s Recreation, 1697). 
Widgeon, as well as Mallard and Teal, have always been the principal ducks taken 
in the decoys of England, Holland and Germany. They were shot on the flats, from 
barrels sunk into the mud on the feeding grounds, but the numbers bagged in this 
way w'ere comparatively small. Nets spread on the salt-marshes were also used 
(W. Thompson, 1851). When swivel or punt guns were introduced, carrying as 
much as a pound of shot, great numbers of Widgeon were killed for the first few 
years. Their habit of feeding in closely packed companies of great size rendered them 
especially liable to destruction by such means. In those days as many as seventy- 
six Widgeon were taken at one shot (W. Thompson, 1851), and there is one shot 
recorded in the Encyclopedia of Sport (1897-98) which accounted for ninety -three ! 
Since that time the gims have been increased in size, but, according to Millais and 
other modern writers, it seems that the great shots of other days are never to be had 
now. I am not certain when the punt gun was first invented, but it apparently did 
not reach Belfast Bay until about 1820. This method of shooting ducks is looked 
upon with horror in America but this view is, I think, entirely wrong. The weapon 
with which fowl are shot is merely incidental; it is the method that counts. Com- 
pared to the difficulties and even the dangers of punting fowl on the great ooze beds 
of the British coasts, the shooting of ducks, and often baited ducks, over decoys, is 
tame sport indeed. As well compare the stalking of wild sheep with the shooting of 
driven roe deer in a German forest. Many British sportsmen have written extensively 
on the science of punt shooting; among these are Hawker (1824), Folkard (1859), 
“Wildfowler” (1880), Payne-Gallwey (1882), A. Chapman (1889, 1896), Sharp 
(1895), Millais (1901), Duncan and Thorne (1911). 
The prices paid for mixed wild-fowl early in the eighteenth century ranged from 
10 to 12 shillings, sometimes as high as 16 shillings, the dozen (Payne-Gallwey, 
1886). Until about 1850, Widgeon brought from 1 shilling 6 pence to 2 shillings 6 
pence the pair, after which they seem to have declined in value on account of the 
general abundance of game in the markets (W. Thompson, 1851). 
Shooting at Widgeon during their evening flights to inland waters, or while they 
are traveling overland from one bay to another has always been a favorite method, 
but large bags are not obtained in this way unless the weather is extremely severe. 
The hut-shooting, so much in vogue in France and Belgium, is described in detail by 
Ternier and Masse (1907). 
In China great numbers of Widgeon must be taken, since they have been imported 
to European markets from the lower Yangtse (Ghidini, 1911). 
Behavior in Captivity. The Widgeon is one of the most attractive of all the 
smaller water-fowl. It is hardy, long-lived, vivacious, and while tame enough it does 
