98 SHOT. 



the game will escape between the void spaces of the 

 circle. 



It must, however, be admitted, that, with No. 3 or 

 4, a few more accidental shots, at immense distances, 

 may be made, than with No, 7 ; but then let it be re- 

 collected, that, for the sake of killing one bird now 

 and then at seventy yards, we are not only wounding 

 many others, by being tempted to fire large grains at 

 such distances, but sacrificing the almost certainty of 

 killing fair shots, for the mere chance of making long 

 ones ; as well as uselessly dirtying and wearing our 

 guns. 



Now, as I have recommended small shot, many per- 

 sons may say, " Suppose we go out in November, we 

 may then possibly get twenty shots in a morning, pro- 

 vided we choose to take our chance at fifty or sixty yards, 

 and perhaps during the whole day may not have one 

 opportunity of firing our guns within thirty yards ; do 

 you mean to argue, that, in this case, small shot is best?" 

 In answer, I should say, " If you go out with the 

 prospect of getting shots only at long distances, or 

 through thick wood, you certainly may succeed better 

 with No. 2, or 3, than 7 ; but if you wish to avoid 

 occasionally missing the fairest shots, although with 

 the most accurate aim, you will, for this purpose^ lay 

 aside your double gun, and take the largest single- gun 

 that you can possibly manage, as you may then use 

 No. 1, 2, or 3 shot, without any risk of throwing it in 

 patches." 



All those who prefer No. 4, or 3, in common-sized 

 guns, contend, that as large shot will kill at a long 

 distance, it must kill at a short one. Kill it may when 



