158 SKOOTIKG. 



way and that way, and all ways together^ as if notMng had hap* 

 pened. 



In some parts of Germany, larks are taken in great quantities. 

 Pr. Latham tells us that the duty paid at Leipsic for these birds 

 amounts to twelve thousand cro^vns per annum, at agrosch,or two- 

 pence-halfpemiy, for every sixty larks. 



In this country, some lark shooters in winter, and when there is 

 a certain portion of snow on the ground with hard frost, sweep a 

 portion of the snow from the surface of the ground, and strew over 

 it a little chaff or grain. This area need not be more than twenty 

 yards square. The birds will greedily frequent it, and by means of 

 a natiu-al hedge, embankment, or an artificial screen, great slaughter 

 can be effected. 



We would, however, advise young sportsmen to refi'ain from 

 any such practices. The bird gladdens the heart of man; as Pope 

 says :— 



"Joy tunes his voice, joy elevates his wings !" 



and we really do think that there ought not to be SiUy sporting mth 

 Ms safety. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



BABBIT SHOOTING. 



*' More difficult than hares to hit, 

 They frequently appear to flit 

 Like shadows past one ;— good, indeed. 

 Is then the aim that bids them bleed. 

 If you would see them nicely stopped 

 In the thick wood, you must adopt 

 Snap shooting, for you'll seldom there 

 Have time to take them full and fair; 

 E'en lost to view, advance your gun 

 Quickly to where you think they run : 

 Hegard not grass, uor brush, nor briar. 

 Through each and all that instant fire. 

 Bang ! it's well—you saw him not 

 Aad yet you've killed him on the spot."— Watt. 



Rabbit shooting is considered one of the minor legitimate sports 

 of the gunner, and has a considerable portion of pleasurable excite- 

 ment connected with it, chiefly from the uncertainty of success — • 

 though it may appear to a casual observer that it could never be a 

 difficult matter to kill a rabbit ; but actual experience tells another 

 tale. It is one of those shooting exploits that requires a combination 

 of qualifications, not always found in one and the same sportsman. 

 There are four kuids of these animals commonly knoAvn among 

 dealers and fanciers of them-, Bf^mely^ warre-mrs^ parkers, heciciehogs.^ 



