UPLAND SHOOTING. 289 



color to the plumage of the Rail, that unless it is marked with 

 the most perfect accuracy, literally to a foot's space, it is almost 

 uselv?s.s to look for it. So many boats, moreover, are darting 

 about ill all directions, the rival pole-men driving their skiffs 

 with all attainable velocity, and the emulous shooters banging 

 away at the thick-rising birds, without much caring whether 

 some t)ther sportsman be or be not within the range, and in the 

 line of shot, that in order to get good sport, not a moment must 

 be lost in bagging the dead birds, — cripples it is impossible to 

 bag, so quickly do they dive, and so cunningly do they skulk, — 

 and that at best it is a matter of some little risk. 



Fortunately, the bird is so easily killed, and the range of his 

 flight is so small, that very light charges, and very small shot, are 

 in use. With the recklessness I have seen displayed in this 

 spoil, were large charges, and heavy shot used, it would be an 

 affair of real danger to shoot at Dullman's Flats, at the mouth 

 of the Neshaminy, or at Perkins' Flats, or Newbold's Island — 

 the best places above Philadelphia, on the Delaware, and the 

 only places, with the exception of a small flat, of an acre or two 

 in extent, before my own door on the Passaic, where I have 

 ever shot Rail. 



The great onus and excellence of the sport depends, as it will 

 readily be seen, on the pole-man, or pusher, and with two 

 equally good shots, it shall make a difference of nearly half the 

 bag, which has the better assistant. The skill at marking dead 

 birds, the rapidity of bagging them, and the adroitness at push- 

 ing, to which some of these men attain, is truly remarkable ; 

 and accustomed to the society of gentlemen, and provided with 

 a good stock of sporting anecdote, and sporting infoiTnation, they 

 are generally very conversable, and discreet fellows, with whom 

 a few hours can be spent, not only without tedium, but with 

 some profit. 



John Horn, of Bristol, in Pennsylvania, is the best hand of 

 these hardy aquatics I have ever encountered, and many a good 

 day's sport and fun have I enjoyed in his company, and under 

 his guidance, on the broad and tranquil Delaware. 

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