INSTKUCTIOXS TO YOUNG SPOETSMEX. 15 



fit for the table. Should the person who fires first miss 

 the bird, and it is still within shot, then the other takes 

 his chance ; if he kills, it is rather a mortifying circum- 

 stance to his companion, and in the vulgar phrase of 

 sportsmen is termed " \viping a man's nose." In cross 

 shots, either at birds, hares, or rabbits^ you shovild take 

 aim a little before them, but this should be calculated 

 according to the distance of the object, and their speed 

 in flying or running. 



The great fault of young sportsmen is shooting under 

 their birds; to obviate this Joe Manton, many years 

 ago, made his guns with elevated sights.* In taking 

 aim at an object, either flying or running, it is of essen- 

 tial consequence to keep the arm in constant motion ; 

 although this may not be acquired when you first begin 

 to shoot, after a few months' practice you will be sure 

 to move the arm spontaneously, and very likely become 

 a first rate shot; this is a sine qua non. 



Should you be shooting in a champaign country, and 

 have not a marker with you, one very essential point is 

 to observe the spot where the covey alights ; therefore, 

 Avhen you have killed your bird, you should not run to 

 pick it up, or employ yourself in making the dogs bring 

 it, but keep your eye fixed on the covey until you see 

 them flap their wings and settle, or as ftir as youi» sight 

 can extend. If you should be unable to ascertain the 

 exact spot where they have alighted, yet you may have 



* I liad one of tliese gims giren me by my old friend and school- 

 fellow, Sir C. K. It was tlie perfection of a gun, and the click of the 

 lock was truly musical. 



I believe, during the last century, double barrelled guns came first 

 into iisc. The old sportsman generally took a slow but sure aim, 

 satisfied with killing one bird, his maxim being Sat est, si sat bene. 



