244 THE COMPLETE WILDFOWLER 
course, they are not waterproof. They also serve as an overall 
for keeping slime and mud off your undercoat and boots, 
and when dirty can be washed. Over the boots we draw on 
a pair of loose oily knickers. These keep out splashes. For 
headgear nothing beats a thick white woollen cap, made like an 
iron armour helmet, i.e. covering the whole of the head except 
the face. When not cold this head-dress can be rolled up, 
turban fashion, and worn as an ordinary cap. If the weather is 
very cold an ordinary cap can be worn underneath the woollen 
cap, or, better still, a cap made from the skin of a great northern 
diver or a great crested grebe, which may then be worn on 
top of the woollen cap. Do not wear a sou’-wester for punt- 
ing. It will catch at the back and tip forward when you are 
lying down in the punt. A mackintosh and a pair of thick 
woollen sockets to wear as gloves complete the dress. 
The best form of ‘‘mack” for punting is one made of white 
waterproof material, after the style of a bicycle cape, only 
short arm-pieces are added. These latter terminate with elastic 
cuffs. Do not use a heavy article of this kind. They are 
things seldom worn; most punters prefer to get wet sooner 
than bother with them. Gloves of the kind here mentioned are 
easily slipped on and off, and they are very warm and comfort- 
ing on a really cold day. Should a brisk bit of sport occur 
they are for the time best discarded, as one can do little more 
than row or pole the punt in them. 
Referring to the question of long boots, these may be 
either of leather or rubber. The leather boots are, without 
doubt, the best. They last longer and stand rough usage 
better. Proper leather punting boots should be made thin up 
the legs, the foot portion stouter. Do not have your leather 
punting boots lined with anything. Lining in them soon tears 
and becomes a bother. Lining is rather a drawback even in 
rubber boots, though it may be unavoidable. Straps under the 
instep and round the ankles assist to keep long boots on, especi- 
