1 82 ON THE WING. 



mere nuisance when you are in the covert, and that 

 all gaudy trimming is detestable to an experienced 

 hunter. Let the bag be of good width, and always 

 have the part next the body of heavy calf-skin or 

 sheep-skin ; the former is far preferable. A thin bag 

 of cloth or rubber cloth, will soon make your hip 

 and side sore by the friction, which a medium thick 

 calf-skin will never do. I would not take one of the 

 thin bags as a gift. 



Powder-Flasks and Shot-Pouches. 



It is hardly necessary to say much with reference to 

 these articles, although they form an important part 

 of every sportsman's equipments. It is not at all diffi- 

 cult to select a good flask or pouch, as there are so 

 many good ones in the market. I will merely state 

 that the Waterbury Flask and Cap Company of Con- 

 necticut make a style of flask that I like very much, 

 particularly those which are covered with leather, and 

 have German silver tops. Dixon's English flasks 

 are also good, but they cost much more than the 

 American ones. The Waterbury flasks, or some of 

 them, have in one respect a superiority over all other 

 flasks I am acquainted with. The hole opening into 

 the charger is of the proper size, — of sufficient di- 

 mensions to admit of rapid filling. It is not very 

 pleasant, in loading with haste, to have to snap 

 your flask two or three times before getting your 

 charge of powder down. In duck-shooting particu- 

 larly, I have used the Waterbury " quick-loaders," 



