TIMING A SHOT. 359 



fernbrake with an old courser or gamekeeper, and 

 let them show him a hare or rabbit squatted or 

 rather try to, for he won't see it till it jumps up. 

 Another instance of this : mark how a fisherman, 

 especially the poacher with his snatch-hook, will 

 point out a trout or salmon lying in a dark pool. 

 Mr. Longsight will see nothing but waving weeds. 



If well within shot of a very thick company of 

 fowl, whether on land or water, and the punt is 

 under absolute control and favourably placed, let 

 them lift a yard or two ; the charge then takes them 

 both on the surface and in the air, and brings, if 

 cleverly aimed, many more birds down than if they 

 were taken sitting. But this is touch and go, and 

 requires a practised hand behind the gun. Great 

 numbers of birds on level ground protect one 

 another from the shot, and at the best of times 

 when so taken, however well aimed, at least a third 

 of the charge is wasted ; some never reaches the 

 mark, and more flies harmlessly over. In a small 

 gathering, the shot which does reach the birds is 

 probably ample for the purpose, but in a large one 

 you should endeavour to get as many birds as pos- 

 sible into the shot circle. Aimed at before they 

 rise, part of this circle strikes the ground, part 

 travels harmlessly in the air, and the centre strata, 

 to which is added what of the lower half glances 

 after striking the earth or water, reaches the mark. 

 At a flying shot at birds lifting close together, very 

 little of this circle would be wasted. Too much lead 

 could not be put into a close company of fowl, and the 

 fowler should study to this end. I have before said 

 a very long shot should never be fired, I will qualify 



