452 LETTERS TO YOUNG SHOOTERS LETTER 



Some pieces of wood about 2 in. square, each a foot 

 long, can, in case of necessity, be firmly nailed up tbe 

 stem of a favourite tree to give a foothold in the form 

 of steps to reach its branches, and a ladder need not 

 then be carried about. It should always be an easy job 

 to take the decoys up and down ; there is then no excuse 

 for leaving them up too long, or, indeed, for a minute 

 longer than when in actual use* as they will have little 

 effect in acting their part if the wild birds see too much 

 of them. Woodpigeons are no fools, I assure you.* 



DRESS 



This you will have on all occasions to assimilate 

 to your surroundings. For shooting in snow use a 

 cap covered with white linen, and a long white linen 

 overcoat that reaches to the knees, fitted with a 

 capacious pocket for holding cartridges on its right- 

 hand side.f 



* Just point your gun at a woodpigeon flying high out of shot on 

 a bright day, and the way in which he will, to use a nautical phrase, 

 ' cant ' over to one side and shy off shows you what a wild, wary 

 customer you have to deal with. 



f You may bring cartridges to the ground in a bag, but for 

 rapid loading when shooting woodpigeons there is nothing like keep- 

 ing your pocket ready filled. You cannot well use two guns, as the 

 assistance of a loader means a movement on his part every time he 

 changes your gun ; and the less motion, the less will the pigeons be 

 alarmed. Nor will you require two guns, as pigeons do not come in 

 ' rushes ' like pheasants at a ' corner,' but one by one or in twos and 

 threes. Your assistant, if you have one, should wait well concealed 



