382 OUTDOOR LIFE IN ENGLAND 



which may be doubled at fifty yards, and trebled, 

 or even quadrupled, at sixty, if the bird is going 

 strongly and down -wind. This allowance may be 

 perhaps considered excessive. 1 would advise the 

 reader to try it, and to note the result. For the 

 sake of a beginner, I may further remark that it is 

 a wise plan, when taking a crossing shot, to first 

 cover the object with the gun, and then, without 

 pausing in the swing, to carry it to the full extent 

 of the allowance. By the time that the finger has 

 pressed the trigger, and the charge has travelled 

 the distance, not one grain of it will be too far 

 forward. I do not, however, presume to offer 

 either advice or instruction in the art of shooting. 

 I merely desire to prevent the infliction of un- 

 necessary suffering to birds and animals. It may 

 be argued that all sport is cruel, and, with careless 

 and slovenly shots, the charge is, I fear, undeniable ; 

 but when the gun is in the hands of a workman, 

 there can be no method of taking game less cruel 

 than by shooting it, and, as I have before remarked, 

 no true sportsman can ever experience the slightest 

 pleasure in the mere taking of life. It is the skill 

 which is required to take it which affords him 

 gratification, and so the truer his aim, and the 

 cleaner his shooting, the better he is pleased. 



With reference to the monster bags of which 

 we hear from time to time, I have nothing to say. 

 The subject is one which I leave to others to 

 censure or praise just as they think fit, and I 

 cherefore reserve my own opinion respecting it. 



