guns on land. A second line of guns might, of course, be placed farther
back.

If the lake winds about a good deal the ducks will probably cut across
country, and in any case can be easily made to do so by being flagged in
or by being fed in a certain direction; there will very likely be some
belt of trees in their line of flight, and if so some delightful sport
may be had at high birds, the guns being placed in the open and well
back from the trees, unless the birds are very shy.

When the dispositions of the host are made, spaniels and keepers will
beat the rushes on either side of the lake, driving the ducks over the
guns, and the dogs can then be taken to the farther end and a return
drive given when the ducks have been over the guns once; the latter will
probably have to conceal themselves for this return drive, as the birds
will now be more wary, and many that have not settled at the farther
end of the lake may be circling high overhead.

After a time it will probably be necessary to rest the birds for an hour
or two for fear of driving them clean away. Don't forget when the shoot
is over to have a thorough hunt for dead birds and cripples; the "pick
up" is always a big one, as very few birds are missed entirely. The best
time to shoot at a high-flying duck is just after he has passed
overhead, as then the shot gets behind the feathers and penetrates more
easily.

The best shot to use is, I think, No. 4.

The disadvantages of the above plan are: (_a_) all the birds are
frightened badly, and some are sure to be lost; (_b_) some birds, which
strictly speaking are barely ready, are certain to be shot.

[Illustration: AN INEFFECTIVE CRIPPLE STOPPER]

Many a good day's sport have I enjoyed with the ducks in India. In the
North-West Provinces, where I was once quartered, there are a number of
"jheels" or huge lakes, and during the cold weather these are tenanted
by countless wild-fowl of nearly every variety. The plan usually adopted
is to post the guns some distance apart and where they can best command
the favourite feeding grounds of the birds; natives are then sent to
different parts of the lake to stir the fowl and afterwards to keep them
on the move, should they settle at a distance from where the guns are
placed. Well I remember the keen pleasure, not unmixed with anxiety,
with which I received an invitation to shoot a celebrated "jheel" which
had not been disturbed that season. Ten guns, I was told, were