202 THE GROUSE 



are, with attaining a mere proficiency 

 with the gun : make it your object 

 always to be learning something new 

 about the habits of the birds you are 

 shooting, and do not consider them as 

 merely so many mechanical marks pro- 

 vided for you to exercise your marks- 

 manship upon. 



Some little knowledge of the work 

 which has gone to provide your sport, 

 some slight acquaintance with the varied 

 forms of wild life which will reward the 

 observant eye in a day's shooting, will 

 add a rare and ever-growing interest to 

 your sport, an interest which will outlive 

 your shooting days and last you to your 

 life's end, effectually preventing you from 

 ever again being bored by an off-day in 

 the country with nothing to kill, which 

 is the unenviable condition of so many 

 sportsmen of to-day. 



. The weapons of sport have improved 

 to such an extent as to give rise to 

 wonder if any further advance be still 

 possible. It is but ninety years ago since 



