46 WING-SHOOTING. 



inches at twenty-five yards ; while a choke bore gives 20 

 to 25 inches at twenty yards ; 23 to 28 inches at twenty- 

 five yards ; and about 35 inches at forty yards." 



A quail crossing at right angles to the shooter at 30 

 yards will gain about six inches in flight while the shot 

 is travelling to the bird ; at 40 yards, about twelve 

 inches ; at 50 yards, about eighteen inches ; and at 60 

 yards, about twenty-four inches. 



Woodcock, snipe, and quail early in the season possess 

 about the same degree of speed, while the rufied grouse, 

 it seems to me, possesses almost double that degree. 



" Shot falls about four inches while travelling a dis- 

 tance of forty yards, and about eight inches up to 60 

 yards." 



Then the secret of cross shots at short distances lies in 

 pointing the gun directly upon or a little ahead of the 

 bird, moving the gun with the bird, and at the same time 

 in keeping up the movement of the gun for an instant 

 after its discharge. But at long distances it is really 

 necessary to hold ahead of the bird, because the bird is 

 gaining something upon the shot, and above the bird, be- 

 cause the shot is continually falling. 



At straightaway shots at short distances, you are to 

 fire directly at the bird, but at long distances it is neces- 



