240 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
Every puntsman should be equipped with an aneroid or some 
form of handy and reliable pocket barometer. They are 
invaluable, and, combined with experience, are of inestimable 
assistance to the fowler afloat. We give some further ‘‘ weather 
warnings or forecasts’ which we have found of service, though 
as we cannot make a calm day when it is a windy one (being in 
this respect only like everybody else), we hope to receive no 
challenges to duel should our tables prove in some instances 
inaccurate. 
A thermometer falls if wind changes towards northerly 
directions, and rises if wind changes towards southerly direc- 
tions. 
Rise of barometer for northerly wind in N.W. by N. toE., 
dry or less wet for less wind, and soon. This does not apply 
when hail, rain, snow, etc., come from the N. with strong 
wind. 
Fall of barometer for southerly wind in S.E. by S. to W., 
wet or more wet, and stronger wind. This does not apply 
always when light wind with rain or snow comes from any 
quarter of N. 
On barometer scales the following contractions may be 
useful :—Rise, for north, N.W.—N.—E. Dry or less wind, 
except wet from north. Fall, for south, S.E.-S.W. Wet 
or more wind, except wet from north. 
Further non-barometrical signs, along with inferences 
drawn from atmospheric appearances, will be given at the end 
of this chapter. 
Nothing has been said about fogs and calms. At these 
times, if birds are about, shots can generally be secured. 
Punt-shooting in fogs, nevertheless, is looked upon as no 
sport; besides, there is danger, not only of losing your 
bearings, but also of shooting someone, if only a poor brother 
fowler, who, by the way, may be one who is seeking a liveli- 
hood by killing fowl, and in this can be excused for his actions. 
