Shooting etc.

A Cottage Farm Homestead

In a severe winter the coast teams with wild-fowl of every description and variety, wild duck, widgeon, the little snipe, teal— most toothsome of water-fowl— pintail, golden eye, sheldrake, etc. These birds all visit our shores, but the man with the gun must confine himself to the sea-wall and saltings, or hire a punt, and so fill his bag without let or hindrance. Wild duck breed here, and take their swift passage through the middle of the Island as they make for one of the fleets; the early morning, or late in the evening, being the best time for the shore gunner to have some sport.

Canvey abounds in partridges and rabbits, a few hares may also be found, but permission is required to shoot them. In the summer the visitor can amuse himself with fishing, of which plaice, dabs, flounders, soles, whiting, and eels make the principal baskets. For bait, the lug worm is used, which can be dug up in the mud under the jetty.

Those fond of sailing or boating will find they can pursue their favourite pastime safely here without the help of a boatman. Yachting men have all they require in the way of harbour at Hole Haven.

At every turn, pretty bungalows meet the eye, built of wood, iron and brick; they can be hired for the season at reasonable prices. The illustration represents a ‘Cottage Farm Homestead,’ situated at the Winter Gardens.