446 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



than three or four days it is not wise to leave the 

 pigeons if a suitable wind occurs for shooting, as 

 ' here to-day, gone to-morrow ' is the motto of a 

 woodpigeon. 



Pigeons often arrive in hundreds, even in thousands, 

 and after a day or two's rest, pass on north or south 

 according as the season be autumn or spring. A 

 good look-out is necessary to observe their movements, 

 as, though scarce a bird may be seen one day, they 

 may be present in multitudes the next. You 

 may visit a wood with 100 cartridges and not fire a 

 score shots, though the previous day you set out 

 with but a dozen cartridges and wished to goodness 

 you had 100 ! 



If pigeons are known to roost in any wood in 

 considerable numbers, a good bag may be made in a 

 thick fog and without a breath of wind ; for if a fog 

 is present before daylight, or the usual hour for the 

 birds to fly to the fields to feed, they will remain till 

 the weather clears. I imagine the pigeons are afraid 

 of losing their way if they leave a wood in a fog ; 

 anyhow, they will fly low round their roosting trees 

 so long as it is thick weather, and though they may 

 appear to leave, they do not go far, but soon return, 

 and afford frequent shots till the atmosphere clears. 



Decoys are sure to attract pigeons in a fog ; they 

 seem glad of their company, and slow in finding out 

 their real nature. In a very thick snowstorm, pigeons 



