SHOULDER-GUNS AND GUN-HOOK. 381 



birds, to say nothing of thick clothes and long heavy 

 boots. 



They should, however, be powerful shooters and 

 fire ijozs. of shot comfortably. Be sure they 

 are never left loaded in a punt, the shock caused 

 by the explosion of the big gun may tumble 

 them over and cause an accident ; they are not 

 wanted save after a shot, and may at other times 

 be kept on their hooks with a painted duck-cover 

 nailed to the top of the coaming dropping over 

 them (see sketch). The man who keeps his small 



GUN-HOOK TO PLACE OVER COAMING. 



A pair to each shoulder-gun, as well as a waterproof cover nailed 

 along top edge of coaming to drop over guns and keep them dry. 

 Bend of hook to be covered with soft leather. 



guns loaded in a punt or chance shots at single 

 birds is a pest to the locality, and will get few 

 chances with his big gun ; but if it so happens no 

 possible prospect of a shot with the heavy weapon 

 is on the cards, and a large or small shoulder-gun 

 is carried loaded for single birds flying by, be sure 

 the muzzle points skyward. The best method of 

 doing this is to cut a small slit the width of the 

 stock through the bottom boards for it to rest in 



