INTRODUCTION. 17 



The birds inct witli on -such excursions rfinge in size from ;i horned 

 owl to ;i hunuuing-biid, the majority V)eii]g intermediate between the 

 two. Supposing tliat only one gun is desirable, the most suitable 

 wea})on is a No. II douljle breech-loader of good make. This will be 

 just right for tlie majority, and wath a little care in loading the 

 cartiidges, it can Ije made to suit the two extremes. I have found 

 three sizes of shot to be sufficient for ordinary collecting trips, — 

 Nos. 5, 8 and 12, — but the size of the charge must be varied to 

 suit circumstances. For instance, a charge of No. 12 will Ijring 

 down a snipe at 30 yards, but to shoot a kinglet, or a warbler, for 

 preserving, with the same size shot, the charge would have to be very 

 much lighter. Just how much lighter is a point to be leai-ned by 

 experience. 1 1 depends to some extent on the indi\idual peculiarities 

 of tlie gun. ('(|ual measure of powder and shot being in all charges 

 the usual rule. 1 hav e often used dust shot for very small birds, but 

 to be sure of getting them with that, one has to be pretty close to 

 the birds, and then their feathers are a good deal cut up and broken. 

 I find that a warbler killed by a single pellet of No. 12, is in better 

 condition to make into a specimen than one that is killed with a 

 dozen pellets ui dust. No. 5 is big enough for haw^ks, owls, etc., and 

 No. 8 is right for plovers, sandpipers, rails, etc., l)ut the nature of the 

 locality and the size of the birds most likely to Ije met, are the best 

 guides in such matters. 



To approach birds without alaiming them, a mild form of deception 

 is sometimes practised with advantage. They have keen sight, 

 .sharp heai-ing, and are at all times on the alert to escape danger, so 

 that a direct approach is almost sure to make them take wing ; but 

 by walking as if intending to pass and yet gradually slanting nearei', 

 a better chance may be ol)tained. Birds are used to the sight of 

 horses and cows, and do not usually object to their presence near 

 their haunts. I once knew an aged gunner who w^as aware of this 

 fact, and for a time turned it to good account. He lived on the Bay 

 shore not far fi-om Hamilton, at a part of the beach which was a 

 favorite resort of curlews, plovers and sandpipers. His old ]iag used 

 to graze on the sward close l)v, and the gunner got into the way of 

 steering him by the tail till he was within shot of the birds, when he 

 would step out from behind anrl Idaze awav without alarming 

 "Jerry" in the least. The same tlock would rarelv be deceived 

 twice, but fresh arii\als were sure to be taken unawares. 



A game bag, such as used by sportsmen, is not suitable tVir a 

 collector, for the specunens are injured by the pressure to which they 



