142 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS. 



assured, its occasional attainment is, for that reason, all the 

 more gratifying. 



One habit of the Cushats is fixed and invariable — they fly 

 head to wind ; consequently they may always be looked for to 

 leeward. This habit they observe equally in the strongest 

 and lightest breezes. So long as there is the slightest 

 current of air to indicate the direction of the wind, from the 

 opposite quarter the Pigeons will certainly approach, and, after 

 their preliminary circling flight, will always finally alight in 

 that direction. The position to select, therefore, for shooting 

 them at flight is on the leeward side of the wood, about a gun- 

 shot from the outside, and, if possible, opposite to the highest 

 trees which may happen to grow there, and towards which 

 they are pretty sure to direct their flight. Not only are the 

 prettiest shots thus obtained at the Pigeons as they pitch 

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

 they are not so difficult of approach from that direction, 

 especially in a strong wind. Indeed, a good breeze is a sine 

 qua noil 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 is 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 one's feet, 

 and they are gone. 



The above remarks as to choice of position are, of course, 

 only applicable to places previously untried ; and much 

 always depends on the shape and lie of the woods and other 

 local conditions. But the sj'lvan geography soon becomes 

 well known to a regular shooter, who in a few evenings ascer- 

 tains the most advantageous spots and the favourite roosting- 

 places of the Pigeons. One of the best woods in my know- 

 ledge is a small square clump of tall beeches, perhaps an 

 acre in extent, and 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 



