90 WING-SHOOTING. 



against vermin, and the skunk in particular, there would 

 be an increase of game. When shooting, every sports- 

 man should have with him three or four cartridges for a 

 special purpose — that purpose, the destruction of hawks. 



QUAIL-SHOOTING. 



At the beginning of the season, quail -shooting is an 

 eas}^ affair as compared with it later on ; the birds are 

 young, fly slowly and steadily, dropping down after a 

 short flight, in long grass, briers, or any covert that pre- 

 sents itself in the line of flight. Then, early in the sea- 

 son it does not require much skill to bring down a young 

 quail Avhich flies in a straight line, and which is not strong 

 enough to fly very swiftly. But what a difference at the 

 end of the season. Then quail fly very fast, often twisting 

 and curving just in the nick of time to save their feathers. 



If a bevy is lost early in the season, after having 

 been marked down, you may come to the conclusion that 

 you have overrun it, and it lies just where it was seen to 

 alight. 



You will find it add very much to your success by 

 sticking to a bevy so long as there is any chance of 

 finding game, and never leave the birds for the idea that 

 more may be found elsewhere ; but make it a rule to al- 

 ways spare a fair number for stock. 



