148 GUNS 



but at the edge of the covert in which the keeper 

 and the other gun are walking. You will fire at the 

 rabbits which cross just as they are disappearing 

 into the covert on the other side of the ride. In 

 the case of very narrow paths through the covert, 

 the shooting is undoubtedly extremely difficult. 

 Even when, by the yelping of the dogs or the 

 warning of the keeper, you know that a rabbit is 

 coming towards you and is going to cross the ride, 

 it is extremely difficult shooting, if, through the 

 thickness of undergrowth, there is no chance to 

 speak of that you may get a shot at him after he 

 has crossed and is in the covert on the other side. 

 He is across the narrow path of three or four feet 

 in a flash, and you do not see him till he flies that 

 path ! How is it to be done ? Well, sometimes 

 you may undoubtedly get him by shooting at the 

 spot in the covert on the other side of the ride 

 where your brain telegraphs to your eye and hand 

 that he is. I have had rabbits like this — but, ah, the 

 many I have not had ! Often I have seen the very 

 quickest gun beat by rabbit after rabbit crossing the 

 narrow paths. I have seen a quick movement on 

 the part of the shooter, but the gun has not been 

 fairly swung on to the rabbit and never fired at all. 



I have seen shooters standing in one of these 

 paths, or in broader paths, with the gun actually 

 pressed to the shoulder : they have been waiting for 

 the rabbit to cross : and, I admit, I have stood thus 

 in preparation myself now and then. I have got a 

 few rabbits in this way, but I have felt all the while 



