WILD PIGEONS 273 



but should they get past and alight behind one, they are 

 less difficult of approach from that direction, especially 

 in a strong" wind. Plenty of wind indeed is an essential 

 for a thoroughly successful night at wood-pigeons. On 

 dead calm nights they are liable to drop in from all direc- 

 tions, and however vigilant a watch be kept, some chances 

 are sure to be lost through birds suddenly pitching-in from 

 behind. Besides which, on such still nights it is hardly 

 possible to move a yard without disturbing them — the 

 least crack of a dead twig, or rustle of fallen leaves under- 

 foot, and they are gone. 



The above remarks as to choice of position are, of 

 course, only applicable to places previously untried ; and 

 much will always depend on the shape and lie of the 

 woods, the trees which compose them (whether deciduous 

 or evergreen), and other local conditions. But the sylvan 

 geography soon becomes well-known to the gunner, who, 

 in a few evenings, ascertains the most advantageous spots 

 and the favourite roosting-places of the pigeon. One of 

 the best woods in my knowledge is a small clump of tall 

 beeches, perhaps four acres in extent, and standing in a 

 somewhat exposed position on rising ground. In this 

 small wood hundreds of pigeons have been killed in the 

 season — say from December to March — the best evening's 

 work being twenty-three birds, all single shots, to one gun. 

 But during rough stormy weather the cushats avoid 

 tall exposed beeches ; and on such evenings the best 

 sport is obtainable in lower-lying woods where black 

 Scotch firs and spruce abound and afford both shelter 

 for the pigeons as well as concealment for the gunner. 

 On exceptional occasions during the wildest weather, with 

 strong winds and driving snow, the pigeons fly very low, 

 almost brushing the pine-tops in their struggle to wind- 

 si 



