ON THE MODES OP USING THE GUN, AND THE DOG. 4:7 



extent, it would soon sliow itself in its true colours. Another 

 author takes a different and more rational view of the matter. He 

 says, that when a bird gets up he is certain he cannot kill it (we 

 must premise, that his gun is uncharged), therefore he can wait 

 to any length, until he ^ets it at the end of his gun. He must 

 never draw unless positive of seeing the bird in that very point 

 of situation. Let it go ; every fresh spring of the bird will make 

 the sportsman more composed ; and as the tremor wears off, he 

 will grow more uniform in his manner of getting to it, tiU, at last, 

 he will cover it almost to a certainty, or very near the same dis- 

 tance. Let him accustom hhnself not to take his gun from his 

 arm till the bird is on the wing, and never to vary his eye from the 

 very one he first fixed upon. Three words should be mentally used 

 with a pause between, before he puts his piece to his shoulder ; 

 tliis ^vill keep him, as it were, in awe of himself ; and as there is no 

 charm in any particular combination of letters at this time, Hold! 

 Halt ! Now ! may serve as well as any. A day thus spent, he may 

 put some powder in the pan, and flash away in that manner ; the 

 next, pursuing the former direction till he can stare with steadiness, 

 and pull with a wink. The day following load with powder only ; 

 and to continue this lesson two or three days, more or less, till he 

 is as calm as if the leather was still in the chaps. Now the grand 

 md last trial — complete loading. If he feels any flutter or anxiety 

 Dn his advance to the point, let him_ draw his shot at once ; nay, 

 powder also, before he goes up to his dog, and repeat this, toties 

 luoties, till he has whipped himself into good temper, and disap- 

 Dointed Mmself into the accomjDHshment of his wislies. In cross- 

 ihootiag, if a bird goes J;p the left, step forward with the right foot, 

 ' the contrary; if to ^ne right hand. This removes at once the 

 •^^.plaint often made, of not kiUing so well one way as the other. 



5hoot at the head in every direction, if possible ; and there cannot 

 )e any necessity for greater allowance. Li elevation, let the front 

 )f the guard be a stop for the gripe of the left hand, in which situ- 

 ition, if the barrel should burst, it will not be so hable to be injured ; 

 aid the thumb being erect, an avenue is artificially made by means 

 )f its corresponding vrith the cock nail, that gives great direction 

 :o the eye.* 



Another good rule is, that as soon as the eye bears on the object 

 be fired at, provided that the muzzle of the gun does the same, 

 hen it is proper to fire ; for, when the eye dwells too long, the 

 listance becomes increased, and the sight is, likewise, impaired. 



On a matter of such nicety and importance, it would be almost 

 inpardonable to omit the opuiion of Mr. Daniel on the question. 

 ie says :— " The young shooter should make liimself perfectly 

 ,cc[uainted with distance ; with that knowledge in 9pen siiootmg, 

 le will never put the gun to his shoulder until the bird has flown a 

 /roper length, and then fire the instant the sight of it is caught. 



* Rev. B. Svmonds. 



