HINTS ON WING-SHOOTING. 47 



sary to shoot over the bird, because the shot falls from 

 four to eight inches while travelling up to 40 and 60 

 yards. 



At cross shots at long distances, you are to hold ahead ' 

 of the bird, because the bird is gaining in flight from six 

 to twenty-four inches while the shot is travelling up to 

 30 and 60 yards. 



At ascending, descending, and oblique shots, when 



within fair distances, you are to fire directly at the bird, 

 but you are to keep the gun moving with the bird, and 

 for an instant after its discharge ; but at long distances, 

 you are to make some allowance for the flight of the 

 bird, and fall of the shot. 



Overhead shots, when within, say, 40 yards, are quite 

 easy. When a bird is approaching you, it is a common 

 belief that the feathers upon the breast cause the shot to 

 glance off, but I believe that to be a mistake as that very 

 shot with me is the most deadly of all shots, and the way 

 to manage such a shot is as follows : — 



When a bird is approaching, bring the gun behind, 

 carry it forward and ahead of the bird until the bird is 

 lost to view, that instant fire. 



When a bird has crossed over your head, point the gun 

 at the bird, lower the muzzle a foot, more or less, accord- 

 ing to distance and pace, and fire. 



