324 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 
seem, and are moving fast. That it takes time to decide 
to shoot, to press the trigger, to ignite the powder, for 
the shot to reach the bird, the time is infinitesimal, and 
yet the bird moves swiftly all the while. Then hold 
well ahead, don’t be afraid of getting too far, for your 
estimate of distance will almost invariably be less than 
it should be, and when you think you are holding four 
feet ahead of the bird, you will not be over two. On 
a duck you estimate at 40 yards, going at a moderate 
gate, say a mallard; let it come a little to your side 
and over, just as it gets near you coolly bring up your 
gun, draw it in behind, gauge the swinging of the gun 
by the speed of the bird; cover the bird, then advance 
ahead just as the bird is passing you; keep the gun 
moving, and when you think you are from two to three 
feet ahead, steadily pull the trigger, and you have 
centered the bird. Don’t check the moving of the gun 
until you hear the report. 
In other chapters of this book, full directions have 
been given how to aim at ducks in their different 
flights ; but let the reader bear in mind that the great- 
est fault of every beginner and inexperienced duck-shot 
is to shoot behind. So, try to overcome this universal 
fault, and on cross or quartering ducks shoot from one 
to ten feet ahead, according to their distance from you, 
and the speed with which they are flying. 
When ducks jump up and fly from you, they are con- 
stantly rising; your shot obeying the laws of gravita- 
tion will drop. These things must be taken into con- 
sideration, and you should aim well over the bird, from 
© to 20 inches. 
Never fear your gun bursting by an excessive charge. 
Any good gun will safely stand the strain of three times 
