42 FRANK SCIILEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASAJJT SHOOTING. 



draw the trin-gcr ami bring it down. If a Hare bounces 

 up under 3'our teet, pitch the gun quickly to youv shoulder, 

 cast your eyes on it, draw the trigger and knock it over — 

 don't poke about it. The sportsman who can shoot his 

 game the quickest is the best shot. It is not necessary to 

 see a bird t(j kill it, at the time of fire. Birds are killed by 

 calculation. :uid in fact in covert shooting, three out of four 

 birds are killed without even being seen. When a Partridge 

 s'jrings in a thicket which has grow^n up dense, and the small 

 trees and bushes are full of leaves, it will be out of sight in 

 an instant, and will escape, unless you knock it down by 

 guessing, or calculation, shooting in the direction it is going, 

 and that must be done in a moment, for you have no time 

 to reflect, but must be as quick as a flash in judging the 

 flight of tJie bird, and the distance it is off. You must also 

 know by practice the exact location where to shoot to kill 

 it; if the least moment of time is lost in following the 

 course it has taken, or a moment of reflection given in 

 judging its exact location, the bird will not be killed, but 

 will go on, and in one second will be out of killing range 

 of the shot. To be a keen, quick, accurate shot, you must 

 have quick movements, and good judgment in all your ac- 

 tions. You should be able to handle and level the gun as 

 quickly and readily as thought. You must be able to pitch 

 the gun to your shoulder and point the muzzle accurately 

 in an instant. You must be able to aim in every direction 

 with ease, and must follow all kinds of moving objects, 

 whether flying or running, as accui'ately and unerringl3"as 

 a bloodhound follows his prey. You must acquire quick- 

 ness in shooting fast-flying birds, and if your movements 

 are naturally slow, you ean never become a keen, quick 

 shot. Quickness and good judgment are the landmarks 

 to observe in shooting fast-flying game. In taking aim 

 draw the triggei- and fire, if it is only where you expect a 

 bird to apjicar, or about where one has disappeared. Birds 

 often fly when in thick undergrowth very singularlj^ — 

 some frequently twist and dart, others fly off in a direct 

 line behind bushes and trees, and it re(piires <juick move- 



