Such is an ideal morning's work, one of those rare rewards of patience and skill that occur from time to time. Far differently may the event fall out. There are mornings when scarce once will that weird forewarning note, "Gagga, gagga," rejoice the expectant ear with harsh music, when no chain-like skeins dot and serry the eastern skies, or ever a greylag appears to remember his wonted haunts. We do not complain, much less despair. Such are the underlying, fundamental conditions of wildfowling in all lands. To a nature-lover the wildness of the scene, with its unique conditions and environment are ever sufficient reward. Roughly speaking, from a dozen to a score of geese may be reckoned as a fair average morning's work for one gun. The following figures, selected from our game-books, indicate the degree of success that rewards exceptional skill. In each instance they apply to but one fowler, though two guns (12-bores) may have been employed. 1903. Remarks. Dec. 4. 29 geese. Later in day, shot 46 ducks in the _marisma_ close by. Dec. 5. 51 geese. Later, shot 25 ducks, 16 snipe.--B. F. B. 1904. Nov. 27. 27 geese. (A second gunner shot but three.) Nov. 30. 52 geese. 1903. Jan. 9. 23 geese. Westerly gale kept filling hole with sand; half my time spent in new excavation.--W. J. B. 1908. Dec. 7. Three guns on sand-hills, 4 + 7 + 22 = 33 geese. Dec. 10. 42 geese. Shots fired, 44. Later in day, shot 55 ducks, 3 snipe = 100 head.--B. F. B. 1909. Jan. 8. 38 geese. Jan. 19. 59 geese. The record.--(B. F. B.) Dec. 29. H.M. King Alfonso XIII., 6 geese; Marq. de Viana, 5 = 11 geese (an unfavourable morning). 1910. Jan. 7. Two guns (second at Caño de la Casquera), 12 + 28 = 40 geese. Jan. 8. 23 geese. Possibly the larger totals are unsurpassed in the world's records. By way of contrast we append what may perchance be discovered in the note-book of the veracious tyro:-- Went out three mornings at three, emptied three cartridge-bags at ridiculous ranges, fluked three geese, and scared three thousand. INSTRUCTIONS IN SHOOTING WILD-GEESE Where the main object is _close quarters_, ordinary 12-bore guns suffice. But since geese are very strong and heavily clad, large shot is a necessity, say No. 1. Thirty to thirty-five yards should be regarded as the outside range, with forty yards as an extreme limit. The latter, however, should only be attempted in exceptional cases, and never when shooting in company. Should two guns be employed, the case of the second is, of course, different. It may be loaded with larger shot--say AAA--which is effective up to fifty yards.