AUTUMN PHEASANT SHOOTING. 195 



chance to be killed, as the shot hits with full force, and one 

 or two pellets will stop them. Flying straight forward 

 they offer a bad chance to be killed, and 3'ou must draw 

 npon them very quick, or they will be out of range, and 

 they must be hit hard to be brought down. With a dog 

 that yon can depend upon, and it is best to have with you 

 a companion, go into the woods where you know Pheas- 

 ants abound, hunt out the ravines and gullies, and the 

 thickets which extend out from, and along the edges of 

 the woods, hunt regularly the sides of the hills, especially 

 if they are i-ocky and grown up with bushes and laurel, 

 look well to the ground where grapevines abound, especi- 

 ally if there are grapes hanging on the vines. If possible, 

 hunt the dog so he will have the benefit of the wintl in his 

 favor, as he will scent his game much farther when the 

 wind is in his favor, than he would otherwise. When your 

 dog trails or scents a Pheasant and comes to a stand, and 

 you can depend upon him standing to his point, make no 

 noise, speak not a word, and if the ground will admit of it, 

 make a circuit to the i-ight and left of the dog, slowly and 

 cautiously upon the bird, so you will encircle him between 

 your friend, dog, and yourself. When come upon in this 

 way and flushed, he will mount up into the air and fly off", 

 and will ofl'er a beautiful mark. Now, if you are a good 

 shot, and you are quick in handling your gun, and are care- 

 ful not to let your nerves get in a flutter, but take the bird 

 quick, before it gets too well on the wing, it will be yours. 

 Should the lay of the ground be of such a character that 

 it would not admit of your making a circuit to the right, 

 and left of the dog, to encircle the bird, other tactics should 

 be used — advance slowly and cautiously behind the dog, to 

 within six or eight feet of him ; on coming uj) to this spot 

 let your companion stop and stand fast, you make a circuit 

 around to the right or left to one side, and a little in ad- 

 vance, as the nature of the ground will admit; the advant- 

 age is that when the bird is flushed, w^hatever direction it 

 should happen to take, it will be impossible for it to fly oflf 

 and escape, without ofl'ering a fair chance to be killed, by 



