2,6 ■ ON THE WING. 



brings relief; and this is where the danger lies. First 

 weariness, then carelessness ; then, perhaps, some 

 dreadful accident. 



If you are hunting in company, carry the gun to the 

 left ' shoulder, across the breast, at such an angle that, 

 in case of accident, it shall discharge over your friend's 

 head. In the woods and fields, and when walking on 

 a trail, do not put your gun over your shoulder, bring- 

 ing the muzzle on a line with the head of your com- 

 panion. Certainly he cannot use it as a looking-glass ; 

 and he ought to be made nervous by seeing its two 

 eyes glowing at him, knowing, as he does, what a 

 demon lurks within, and what a simpleton has con- 

 trol of it. Neither carry the gun at trail arms, for 

 thus you will be likely to shoot your friend in the rear. 

 If expecting a bird to flush, carry the gun across the 

 breast to the left, at an angle of about 6o°. Thus you 

 will always be ready for a snap shot, and will never 

 bring about an accident by carelessness. 



Even when shooting alone, there is a great advan- 

 tage in carrying the gun pointed as much as possible 

 toward the sky. If woodcock or other game spring 

 suddenly in thick covert, the gun can be dropped to 

 the shoulder quite as soon as it can be lifted ; and in 

 case of vines, briers, or other obstacles hindering your 

 ready sight, it is in a position to break them down, 

 instead of being entangled by them. For brush-shoot- 

 ing in the summer months, when the covert is thick, 

 this rule is almost indispensable. I have often known 

 sportsmen to lift their gun into a bush, and damage 

 their shooting in such a way as to lose the bird. 



