156 GUNS 



distinct and capital branches of sport among wood- 

 pigeons and rabbits. 



Pigeon-shooting from November till February 

 is very good fun. To enjoy it to any extent you 

 must have the right to enter and shoot in woods 

 large or small. Large woods are far better for 

 this pursuit, as they contain a bigger head of birds, 

 and when acorns are abundant, as was the case 

 in 1900 — in 1901 and 1902 the acorn crop failed, 

 and the birds were for the most part in the fields 

 till the roosting hour — they contain great flocks 

 and small parties of birds during the day as well 

 as the night. But in small woods, too, there are 

 usually some pigeons to be shot by the careful 

 stalker. 



To get shots at pigeons in the daytime, it is better 

 to be alone, and you need no dog. The plan is 

 to walk along the woodland paths, ready at any 

 moment to get the gun up at a bird as it dashes 

 out of a tree within a distance of from fifteen to 

 thirty or thirty-five yards, or rises from the ground 

 where it has been feeding on acorns, &c. As a 

 rule the pigeon will be going straight away from 

 you through the trees ; broadside shots at pigeons, 

 unless you are hidden and lying in wait for them, 

 are less usual. 



Fairly on the wing, the wood-pigeon flies strongly 

 and fast, and, unless one of its wings is disabled, 

 it is by no means always stopped when struck at a 

 distance of forty or forty-five yards ; the skin is 

 thick, the plumage is thick and firm, and the bird 



