PIGEON-SHOOTING. 243 



upon the ground for some moments before taking 

 wing. 



Should the bird be missed by the sportsman at the 

 trap, and pass' the boundary line, he is stopped, if 

 possible, by the nearest gun, as he passes over the 

 circle of shooters. If the members of the club are 

 all good shots, but few birds will escape. 



The shooting-clubs of New England have, I believe, 

 generally adopted the New York rules and regulations. 

 I give in the Appendix their by-laws, and a form of con- 

 stitution framed by a Boston club, to illustrate the plan 

 in full. 



