APPARATUS . CLOTHING . 1 1 



suit his taste or convenience. The shot-pouch I had settled 

 upon before using a breech-loader, as the most satisfactory is 

 the "double-barrelled" one, so to speak, that buckles round 

 the waist, and is further supported by shoulder-straps crossing 

 on the back exactly like a pair of suspenders. This so fixes 

 and distributes the weight that it is carried with the least 

 fatigue ; I think it far preferable to the pear-shaped hand 

 pouches dangling by a cord. Since it cannot be raised to the 

 muzzle of the gun, and since moreover mustard-seed will easily 

 slip through the openings for the slides of the ordinary lever 

 arrangement for measuring the charge of shot, the nozzle of 

 the pouch should have a thimble for the same purpose. The 

 rule of loading being bulk for bulk of powder and shot it is 

 often convenient to carry mustard-seed in a powder-flask ; the 

 slide works readily through fine shot to cut off a charge, though 

 it will not do so with coarser. Caps are most conveniently 

 carried loose in a right-hand vest pocket, or fob on the outside 

 of the coat ; wads in a lower right-hand pocket, c. For speci- 

 mens. You must always carry paper in which to wrap up your 

 specimens, as more particularly directed beyond. Nothing is 

 better for this purpose than writing-paper ; " rejected " or other- 

 wise useless MSS. may thus be utilized. The ordinary game 

 bag, with leather back and network front, answers very well ; 

 but a light basket, fitting the body, such as is used by fisher- 

 men, is the best thing to carry specimens in. Avoid putting 

 specimens into pockets, unless you have your coat tail 

 largely excavated : crowding them into a close pocket, where 

 they press each other, and receive warmth from the person, 

 will injure them. It is always well to take a little cotton into 

 the field, to plug up shot-holes, mouth, nostrils or vent, 

 immediately, if required, d. For yourself. The indications to 

 be fulfilled in your clothing are these : Adaptability to the 

 weather ; and since a shooting coat is not conveniently 

 changed, while an overcoat is ordinarily ineligible, the require- 

 ment is best met by different underclothes. Easy fit, allowing 

 perfect freedom of muscular action, especially of the arms. 

 Strength of fabric, to resist briers and stand wear ; velveteen 



