WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. I 57 



as they lie upon the water, bear down the sight of the 

 gun close to the water, especially if the fowl are near 

 to you. If they are at a long distance, make a little 

 allowance for the declination of the shot by gravita- 

 tion. 



It is almost useless to shoot at the breast of any 

 wild fowl when flying or swimming directly towards 

 you, unless it is very close at hand. Their batting of 

 feathers is pressed so closely to their bodies, by the 

 pressure of the air or water, that it is hardly possible 

 for shot to enter them. You may perhaps strike their 

 heads or break their wings ; but the more certain way 

 has been already suggested. 



In shooting at coot sitting on the water, always fire 

 when they are rising on the wave, so that you can see 

 their heads and necks. This will send the whole 

 charge directly into their bodies. I have seen young 

 sportsmen, who did not know or heed this rule, fire 

 many times at a coot without hurting him. If pos- 

 sible, always shoot at their sides or tails. 



Few waterfowl of the duck kind require so much 

 punishing, or are able to bear so much hard shooting, 

 as the coot. He is certainly a powerful fellow, whether 

 we consider his power of flight or his faculty of re- 

 maining under water while swimming long distances, 

 or the quickness with which he dives again if he sees 

 any danger near at hand. The sportsman must be a 

 good snap shot who, standing in readiness, can at the 

 instant a coot sticks his head out of water give him a 

 dead shot. 



" Simple as a coot " is a common saying, and never 



