HINTS ON WING-SHOOTING. 45 



trigger without stopping the motion of the gun, even 

 after its discharge. 



" The question as to the degree of allowance to be made 

 at cross shots involves so many considerations that it is 

 difficult to deal with; because the speed and angle of 

 flight vary so constantly, that it is improbable for two 

 cases to be exactly alike. In fact, this knack is to be 

 gained only by frequent practice and close observation ; 

 and it is in part merely guess-work." 



A thorough knowledge of a gun, acquaintance with 

 its power, its killing-circle, the gravitation of shot, and 

 the flight of game, are absolutely necessary to become a 

 crack shot. Possessed of these qualifications, the reader 

 will find the difficulty of approximating the allowance to 

 be made at cross shots much decreased. 



" The secret in getting a gun to suit you is first, the 

 balance ; then, to get it to come up properly ; and the 

 third point of hitting the bird, is to be able to make suffi- 

 cient swing to your gun. This swing is the most difficult 

 thing of all to acquire in shooting, yet some seem to pick 

 it up while others never acquire it ; and this art, when 

 perfect, makes the difierence between the crack and the 

 ordinary shot." 



" A first-dass 12-gauge cylinder gun gives a killing- 

 circle of 28 to 30 inches at twenty yards; about 32 



