2l8 SHOOTING IN CHINA 



rope is lighted by flint and steel and a 

 vegetable punk. When about to fire the 

 shooter blows on the burning match, fixes 

 it suitably in the open beak and takes his 

 aim at the object he wishes to shoot. The 

 pistol like stock of the gun usually rests 

 against the hip of the shooter when firing, 

 and he fixes both eyes on the object, 

 although he appears not to be taking any 

 aim at all. It would seem that the principle 

 of shooting with both eyes open and fixed 

 on the game has been long known to the 

 Chinese and other Asiatics who have made 

 use of the gun either when engaged in sport 

 or w^ar. The short pistol like stock clearly 

 indicates that it was not intended to shoot 

 from the shoulder, and that the most skilful! 

 of these marksmen recognized the advant- 

 ages of using both eyes when aiming their 

 guns. 



There is no character in the sporting 

 field as unique and original as a Chinese 

 sportsman. Although his dress and other 

 equipments appear wanting in every essen- 

 tial to ensure success and comfort, never- 

 theless, the result of a day's shooting will 

 sometimes suggest whether the breech 

 loader is really more effective than the 



