Introductory, 7 



constitute a good sportsman all tend one 

 way — to the formation of a character to be 

 depended upon wherever swiftness, decision, 

 and forethought are wanted in the graver 

 sport of life. 



Having thus, I hope, vindicated the dignity 

 of sport in general, I come with an easier 

 mind to that fascinating branch of a branch 

 of it which will form the subject of these 

 rambling reflections — i.e.^ snipe-shooting. 



To the real shooting enthusiast all shoot- 

 ing is good, but some is better than others. 

 Any form of sport that brings his favourite 

 weapon into use is welcome. But everybody 

 acknowledges that some particular bird or 

 beast appeals particularly to his sporting 

 instinct as an object of pursuit. It may be 

 because of its beauty, or because of its scarcity ; 

 perhaps because there is great toil and diffi- 

 culty in finding and outwitting it, or because, 

 on the other hand, the favoured game has 

 its residence in plain-sailing sort of ground 

 and conditions. It may be again because of 

 the mere physical adroitness required to hit 



