The Quail 41 



or, that still more annoying misunderstanding 

 about who scored. Systematic shooting is not 

 only more pleasant, but it bags more birds, as 

 can be readily imagined. When only one bird 

 is expected, true courtesy will prompt the better 

 shot to allow his companion the first chance, or if 

 the men be equally good marksmen, the host should 

 give the first chance to his guest. In so doing 

 virtue may be its own reward, for there is nothing 

 in the articles of war to prevent a strictly courteous 

 man from wiping a duffer's eye the moment after 

 he has missed ! When a doubt exists as to what 

 may flush, " Your bird," or " Take the bird " from 

 one or the other will settle the point. And it is 

 well to observe these small matters, for some excel- 

 lent men are hasty when their blood is up, especially 

 after they have missed a few times. True sports- 

 manship never touches a man on a raw spot. 

 Good-natured chaff is all very well, but a rather 

 dangerous form of amusement in the field, where 

 a single injudicious remark may mar the pure 

 pleasure of an hour, or perchance of a day. There 

 are many men who cannot score regularly on 

 bevies, while they are able to perform quite 

 creditably on single birds which they walk up 

 for themselves. The reason for this usually is 

 nervousness, partly due to the close proximity 

 of the second gun, and partly to the startling 

 flush of a number of birds together. In nine 



