HOUSEBOAT-GUN-DOG 55 



which should be uncovered and alert when 

 shooting in the field. It is a mistake to be 

 indifferent to the fit of the shooting clothes; 

 they should be fairly loose, not baggy, but 

 should fit. The shooter will shoot better 

 when he feels that his clothes, like his gun, 

 fit easy and comfortable. My choice for 

 foot wear is a boot and leg of the same 

 piece of leather, the leg as high as the large 

 part of the calf. The boot thus made can 

 be put on and off without the trouble of 

 unlacing or unbuckling which is a nuisance 

 sometimes. Most of the boots for shooters 

 are too heavy and become tiresome to the 

 wearer. The sole ought to be just thick 

 enough to protect the bottom of the feet 

 from being bruised, and have soft iron 

 nails set well apart ; steel nails will slip on 

 the rocks. It is probable that no one of 

 this day has given as much attention to the 

 equipment of a shooter as Sir Ralph Rayne- 

 Gallwey, and I will quote what he writes 

 with reference to clothing, reserving the 

 opinion, that as the shooter acquires ex- 

 perience he will equip himself as conduces 

 most to his comfort. Sir Ralph writes: 

 " For hard work on the hills a flannel shirt 

 should be worn. Tweed shooting jacket, 



