PIGEONS. 219 



varieties of any other single species of birds, for we much oftener 

 hear of the former than of the latter. But what may be the cause 

 of the lusus naturae in other birds, the author of these remarks 

 leaves to be explained, or attempted, by some more close observer 

 of her feathered family." 



PIGEONS. 



The shooting of tame pigeons I have always had 

 want of taste enough to consider as an amusement to 

 be classed with badger-baiting. But as it becomes a 

 glorious opportunity for assembling parties to gamble 

 and get drunk, I must not be so unfashionable as to 

 moralise about cruelty; particularly as the professors 

 of this accomplishment might ask me, " Why is it worse 

 than hunting a bag fox ?" or " May not every sport be 

 more or less condemned for cruelty?" 



As pigeons are commonly turned out at twenty-one 

 yards, it may be easily observed, that the knack of 

 killing them consists in firing the instant they are up, 

 and being careful not to shoot under them, as they take 

 so hard a blow, particularly on the rump, that, if suf- 

 fered to fly to any distance, they are apt to get out of 

 bounds before they fall. The larger the gun and the 

 charge, the wider the circle of shot ; and therefore the 

 better to assist that shaking hand, which, among the 

 most expert marksmen, may be occasioned by anxiety. 

 Plenty of powder, and a light charge (in proportion) of 

 No. 6 shot will do better for a man while nervous than 

 very close shooting ; or, at all events, till he has be- 

 come cool and confident, which he generally will find 

 himself after he has killed a few birds in succession. 



So little is the art of pigeon shooting the criterion of 

 a good shot, that many of the very best performers at 

 this are scarcely third rate shots at other birds, and 



