90 FRANK SCIILEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



a certaiu plan to make them change their haunts. Late in 

 the season, when birds are wild, be always on your guard, 

 and always ready to fire, and in shooting double shots be 

 quick in making your first shot. Killing double shots, 

 when birds are wild, requires quick action on the part of 

 the shooter, and is a test of good marksmanship. Late 

 in the season be always ready to take advantage of all 

 and every opportunity that offers a chance to be hit. Use 

 your gun liberally, do not be afraid to miss if you wish 

 to fill your bag, and become a good shot. Many sports- 

 men wait for good opportunities, and as they are alwaj^s 

 fcAv and far between, especially where birds are scarce, an 

 ordinary shooter by firing oftener, and at doubtful chan- 

 ces, will sometimes beat the better shot who makes a 

 too careful selection. The result of the day's shooting, 

 when all is equal, will always be in favor of the man who 

 shoots at all and every bird that offers a chance to be 

 killed. Late in the season, in the month of December, 

 when the birds have become strong and wild, every bird 

 is on the lookout on the approach of a sportsman, or his 

 dog. Then, acconling to my idea, the sport of shooting 

 Partridges is sport indeed, and a bag of birds bagged in 

 this month, being full grown, is worth almost two bags 

 bagged in the first of the shooting season in the month of 

 October. I have often killed a bag of birds along the 

 Monocacy and Potomac bottoms, in Maryland, in the 

 month of December, that would average eight ounces for 

 each bird. 



