THE GUN FOR SHORE-SHOOTING. 137 



the position of the wounds, the result to more aged 

 specimens would have been the same. 



At Cobb's Island, that bleakest of the bleak of 

 ocean-washed islands, during a fearful gale from 

 north by west the point from which all the severest 

 storms come on that coast I made a most extra- 

 ordinary bag of brant with rny 4-bore gun. I had 

 comparatively little shelter in which to secrete my- 

 self, and my dress did not harmonize with the sand 

 and bleached grass that surrounded me, so the game 

 gave me a tolerably wide berth, yet at over a 

 hundred yards I frequently killed three or four at a 

 shot. This island at one time was justly celebrated 

 for the number of shore (wading) birds that visited 

 it. In soft, still, balmy days they were generally 

 very difficult of approach when on the beach, 

 although easily lured with decoys, yet again this 

 weapon on occasions proved itself to be a 

 wonderful performer. Its barrels were forty-two 

 inches long, ten more inches of metal to carry than 

 I afterwards found necessary, and the experienced 

 sportsman well knows what a comfort such a re- 

 duction is, both in regard to weight and improved 

 facility in taking aim. 



If my correspondent should, after what I have 

 said, desire to possess such a gun, let him employ 

 a good, therefore a careful gunmaker, to build it, 

 and I have no doubt that his performances with 

 it will afford him the greatest satisfaction. 



