I02 A Book of the Snipe, 



will only take place after periods of practice 

 and failure, varying in length with the vary- 

 ing capabilities of individuals, it is difficult 

 to see how this particular "knack" differs 

 from that belonging to any other worldly 

 business or sport. 



Given good eyesight, quick decision, and 

 some previous acquaintance with the use of 

 the gun on slower - flying game, any one 

 will in time shoot snipe at least fairly well, 

 though of course the first-class performers 

 will be as few and far between as they are 

 at billiards, or cricket, or ploughing. We 

 cannot all be cracks, thank goodness ! or 

 the pleasure of pursuing either game or 

 games would disappear at an alarming rate. 

 Imagine what the world would be like if 

 every man with a gun killed five out of 

 six of the birds he aimed at, or every 

 cricketer went to the wicket with a certain 

 hundred runs ready for the despondent 

 fieldsmen ! 



The only real *' knack," so far as I can 

 see, in snipe-shooting is that of being always 



