4 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



draw the trigger and bring it down. If a Hare bounces 



up under your feet, pitch the gun quickly to your shoulder, 



cast your eyes on it, draw the trigger and knock it over 



don't poke about it. The sportsman who can shoot his 



gaine the quickest is the best shot. It is not necessary to 



see a bird to kill it, at the time of fire. Birds are killed by 



calculation, and in fact in covert shooting, three out of four 



birds are killed without even being seen. When a Partridge 



springs in a thicket which has grown up dense, and the small 



.trees and bushes are full of leaves, it will be out of sight in 



an instant, and will escape, unless you knock it down by 



guessing, or calculation, shooting in the direction it is going, 



aiid that must be done in a moment, for you have no time 



to: reflect, but must be as quick as a flash in judging the 



flight of the bird, and the distance it is off. You must also 



know by practice the exact location where to shoot to kill 



it ; if the least moment of time is lost in following the 



course it has taken, or a moment of reflection given in 



judging its exact location, the bird will not be killed, but 



will go on, and in one second will be out of killing range 



of the shot. To be a keen, quick, accurate shot, you must 



.have quick movements, and good judgment in all your ac- 



'tions. You should be able to handle and level the gun as 



quickly and readily as thought. You must be able to pitch 



/the gun to your shoulder and point the muzzle accurately 



in an instant. You must be able to aim in every direction 



.with ease, and must follow all kinds of moving objects* 



whether flying or running, as accurately and unerringly as 



.a: bloodhound follows his prey. You must acquire quick- 



jLess in shooting fast-flying birds, and if your movements 



are naturally slow, you can never become a keen, quick 



shot. Quickness and good judgment are the landmarks 



to observe in shooting fast-flying game. In taking aim 



draw the trigger and fire, if it is only where you expect a 



l>ird to appear, or about where one has disappeared. Birds 



'Often fly when in thick undergrowth very singularly 



-some frequently twist and dart, others fly off in a direct 



Mne behind bushes and trees, and it requires quick move- 



