GOLDEN PLOVER, CURLEW, GRAY PLOVER. 155 



a survey of the ground. When they do this at 

 a proper distance, the horse must be put to a 

 swift trot in such a direction as you would take 

 if going past the plover on your own sharp 

 business. Judge the ground and estimate the 

 distance, so that when you are abreast of the 

 flock it will be within shot. The birds, in such 

 a case, will not rise until the horse stops, and 

 sometimes, if the shooter is quick and prompt, 

 he may get a crack at them with one barrel just 

 as they are upon the point of leaving the ground, 

 and before they are actually on the wing. Whea 

 a shot can be got while they are thus huddled 

 together, many may be killed. There is no scruple 

 about shooting at these birds in this manner among 

 sportsmen, but few huve the art and pi-omptness 

 to manage it. The horse must be fast. He 

 must trot up at a swift pace. You must judge 

 the distance nicely, for you cannot swerve 

 out of the line and in upon the birds with- 

 out causing them to take wing. Finally, the horse 

 must be one that will obey a light touch of the 

 rein, and stop rather suddenly without a jerk. 

 When shooting plover on foot at such times as 

 they are acting after the habit described above, 

 the sportsman must follow the same plan in 



