93 SHOOTING. 



your aim from before tlie fore -part of the horse, shooting as iti 

 were between the horse's neck and the water, which is more safe' 

 and surer than taking the level under the horse's belly, and much 

 lesser to be perceived ; the shoidder of the horse covering the body 

 of the man, and the horse's legs shadowing the legs of the man; 

 also ; and as thus you stalk upon the great blank waters, so you 

 may stalk also along the banks of brooks or greater rivers, by little; 

 and little winning the fowl to as near a station as can be desired ; \ 

 and thus you may do also upon the firm ground, whether it be on 

 moor, heath, or other rotten earth, or else upon the tilthe where 

 green corn groweth ; or generally in any other haunt where fowls 

 are accustomed to feed or abide."* This contrivance Avas long in 

 use in many parts of England, both for shooting woodcocks, and: 

 wild fowl. In Markham's day, however, the dog was hkeT\ase; 

 used along with it, whose movements and use he further describes j 

 in tlie folloAving words. " And as you make use of this stalking 

 horse, so must you not anywise want your dog, for he is as useful at| 

 this time as at any other, nor can you do well anything Avithout liim 

 especially if it be upon rivers, or broad deep Avaters ; yet you should 

 have him in obedience, that Avhilst you are stalking you may leave 

 him with your bags, saddle, bridle, and other needments, where he 

 may lie_ close, and never stir till you have shot, and then upon the 

 least gibbet or call to come running unto you, and to fetch forth 

 what you shall kill ; which with a small practice, he will do readily 

 and willmgiy, after you have made him understand your mind, for 

 they are creatures of wonderful great capacity, and naturallv in- 

 clined to the sport, so that, being kept in true awe, there is notniug 

 whichthey wul not with great readiness perform." To make this 

 artificial stalking horse, Markham gives the foUovnng directions. 

 " Take any pieces of old canvas, and having made it in the shape 

 or proportion of a horse Avifch the head bending downwards, as if he 

 grassed, and stopping it with dry straw, moss, flocks, or any other 

 light matter, let it be painted as near the colour of a horse as you 

 can devise, of which tlie brown is the best ; and in the midst let it 

 be fixed to a stafT with a pick of ii'on in it to strike dovm in the 

 ground at your pleasure, and stand fast whilst you choose your 

 mark, as also to turn and wind any Avay you please, either for your 

 advantage of the Avind, or for the better taking of your level ;' and 

 it must be made so portable, that you may bear it' easily Avith ouo 

 hand, moving and Avagging in such wise, tliat it may seem to move 

 and grass as it goeth ; neither must this in any Avise exceed t]ie 

 ordinary stature or proportion of a common horse, for to be tco 

 low or little will not cover the man, and to be too big and huge 

 Avill be both monstrous and troublesome, and give affright to the 

 foAvls ; therefore, the mean in tliis is the best measure, and only 

 Avorth the observation." The author tells us, likeAvise, that the 

 figures of other animals were sometunes used for stalking; such as 



* Art of Fowling. 



