SHOT. 95 



the objection before named, will often fly so wide 

 and irregular that the game will escape between the 

 void spaces of the circle. 



It must, however, be admitted, that, with No. 3 or 

 4, a few more accidental shots, at immense distances, 

 may be made, than with No. 7 ; but then let it be 

 recollected, that, for the sake of killing one bird now 

 and then at seventy yards, we are not only wounding 

 many others, by being tempted to fire large grains at 

 such distances, but sacrificing the almost certainty of 

 killing fair shots, for the mere chance of making 

 long ones ; as well as uselessly dirtying and wearing 

 our guns. 



Now, as I have recommended small shot, many 

 persons may say, " Suppose we go out in November, 

 we may then possibly get twenty shots in a morning, 

 provided we choose to take our chance at fifty or 

 sixty yards, and perhaps during the whole day may 

 not have one opportunity of firing oiu* guns within 

 thirty yards; do you mean to argue, that, in this 

 case, small shot is best?" In answer, I should say, 

 " If you go out with the prospect of getting shots 

 only at long distances, or through thick wood, you 

 certainly may succeed .better with No. 2, or 3, than 

 7 ; but if you wish to avoid occasionally missing the 

 fairest shots, although with the most accurate aim, 

 you will, for this purpose, lay aside your double gun, 

 and take the largest single gun that you can possibly 

 manage, as you may then use No. 1, 2, or 3 shot, 

 without any risk of throwing it in patches," 



