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 alighted, 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 course, 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 him 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 
