242 ON THE WING. 



made in a large open field, if possible without trees 

 or buildings within its enclosure. Near the centre is 

 placed the trap or traps, and around this centre 

 is made a circle one hundred and sixty yards in 

 diameter. 



The circle is marked by stakes bearing a white or 

 red flag. Numbers, from one to the number of those 

 who intend to shoot, are written upon pieces of paper, 

 or, more usually, upon a cut wad, and put into a hat. 

 " Before taken," it is " well shaken," each person 

 drawing his number, and taking his position accord- 

 ingly. No. i takes his stand at the trap, and will 

 shoot first, No. -2 coming next. As soon as No. i has 

 made his shot, he falls into the circle in his order, at 

 the rear of the highest number. In this manner they 

 " swing round the circle," taking their turns at the 

 trap in rotation. 



When two traps are used, they are marked H. and 

 T., meaning Head and Tail, and a piece of coin is 

 turned, to decide from which trap the bird shall fly 

 and be shot at. By this simple regulation sports- 

 men will be likely to have fair play, and at the same 

 time not be likely to have their pigeons " doctored," 

 by the tail and wing feathers being pulled out, as is 

 sometimes done by the initiated. 



When all is ready, No. i, whose stand is at the trap, 

 gives the word pull, and the trap is sprung by a man 

 whose business is to " tend the trap," and the bird is 

 let out. The shooter must keep the breech of his 

 gun below the right elbow, until the bird rises. Often 

 the pigeon will trouble the sportsman, by standing 



