The Wizard of tbe Wetlands 45 



a tinge of monotony about marsh lands and unend- 

 ing mud and water which cannot hold me as does 

 the infinite variety of conditions, the marvellous 

 beauty of turning foliage, and the clean, vigorous 

 action of sport on the uplands. In point of fact I 

 could enjoy six days per week of grouse, quail, and 

 cock ; but it is questionable if the charm of snipe 

 shooting would wear equally as well. 



And now the actual shooting. The best gun is a 

 light, close, hard shooter, because the mark is swift 

 and small and half the chances at longish range, the 

 average rise being yards farther than is the rule in 

 Bob White shooting. I use number eight shot, 

 because to my notion the popular number ten is apt 

 to mean too many pellets in the meat and conse- 

 quently too much lead for busy teeth later on. The 

 quantity of smokeless powder will depend upon the 

 gun I believe in using plenty, all the gun can 

 burn properly, for the large percentage of long shots 

 demand all possible power. When birds are few, a 

 free-ranging pointer or setter is an invaluable helper ; 

 where birds are very plentiful, a reliable spaniel, that 

 will keep at heel until ordered out, is all the dog 

 required. I am not overfond of running a fine 

 pointer or setter all day on wet mud. It is hard 

 upon his feet and coat, and unless he be carefully 

 washed and thoroughly dried so soon as the shoot- 

 ing has ended, he is apt to have a miserable time of 

 it during the long ride home and be all stiffened up 

 in the morning. Very frequently, too, a fine dog, 

 unless broken on snipe, is apt to try to get too close 

 to his birds and so cause flushes. When snipe are 

 wild, as often happens, a dog must point at long 



