SNIPE SHOOTING. 159 



COCK SHOOTING. 



The pursuit of woodcocks, with good " spaniels, may 

 be termed the fox-hunting of shooting! 



A real good sportsman feels more gratified by killing 

 a woodcock, or even a few snipes, than bags full of 

 game, that have been reared on his own or neighbour's 

 estate; and one who does not, may be considered & pot- 

 hunter. In a country where cocks are scarce, be sure 

 to put a marker in a tree, before you attempt to flush 

 one a second time ; and when you have marked down 

 a cock, remember how very apt he is to run, instead 

 of rising from the spot in which you may have seen 

 him drop. If a cock flies away, and continues to rise 

 wild, go safely beyond where he may have last dropped, 

 and then back again to beat for him (leaving some one 

 to make a noise on the side where you had before ad- 

 vanced on him), and he will then most likely either lie 

 close, or fly towards you. If this will not do, take 

 your station quietly to windward (as cocks generally fly 

 against the wind), give a whistle when you are ready, 

 and let the other person then draw on, and flush him. 

 His cry of " Mark !" will assist in frightening and 

 driving the cock forward, and be a signal for your pre- 

 paration. 



No more on cock shooting, as directions enough about 

 it have been given by other authors. 



SNIPE SHOOTING. 



The pursuit of snipes is declined by many, who plead 

 their inability to kill them ; than which nothing may be 



