148 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
describe the magazine here figured, it would be well to im- 
press the many important items which constitute a handy 
article of this kind, as well as to refer to the necessity of having 
the work in it of a suitable standard to guarantee its efficiency 
in withstanding the rough-and-ready wear which these things 
are subjected to. 
In the first place, all things appertaining to punting should 
be as simple as possible. Nothing in the punter’s kit requires 
more attention in this direction than his magazine. The 
simpler it works, the better. It cannot be too well made; in 
fact, a water-tight box is really what is wanted. The construc- 
tion should be such that at a glance the fowler has all within his 
magazine in view at once; it can be quickly opened or shut, 
easy of manipulation, low and flat in shape (then it may serve 
as a chest-rest or a seat), and as water-tight as possible. Here 
we have the chief points of a good punter’s magazine. The 
main things to avoid in a magazine for punt-shooting are 
height, fitting sliding lids, and, above all, a cover or lid to 
each compartment. This latter is a very bad idea, except, 
perhaps, for use by persons who are constantly fowling. 
Gunners who are not regularly punting are apt, and especially 
in moments of excitement, to forget at the critical juncture 
which compartment of his magazine contains the object im- 
mediately required. Sliding lids, unless well attended to, are 
almost certain to stick, through the action of the surround- 
ing damp atmosphere which is ever attending a gunning- 
punt. 
In our sketch we give a magazine which has served re- 
markably well its many purposes during our exploits afloat in 
pursuit of wildfowl. The design is original on our part. 
Although we have tried several other kinds, including maga- 
zines said to be inventions by good authorities on the subject, 
yet there is none we like better in actual practice than the one 
here depicted. Its general construction is very simple, though, 
