The Quail 47 



shoot with both eyes wide open, which is much 

 the better way, because they can keep track of 

 the movements of more birds than the one aimed 

 at. Such men see everything there is to be 

 seen ; they can distinguish cocks from hens in 

 full flight ; their field of vision is broader and 

 truer than can possibly be commanded by the 

 man who closes one eye ; in consequence, they are 

 apt to be consistent performers and most useful 

 and entertaining companions. They are the men 

 who while shooting well can always tell you 

 where your bird fell or if you killed, when you 

 are in doubt. They know just where the birds 

 have pitched, where the stragglers, if any, have 

 gone, and, in fact, all about everything worth 

 knowing. It is a wise plan to shoot cocks in 

 preference to hens whenever the choice rests with 

 the gun, with the single exception of the old hen 

 referred to. In the case of crossing birds, the 

 distinction is easy enough, and the intentional 

 sparing of a hen now and then really is some- 

 thing akin to a good investment. As a general 

 rule, there are more cocks than hens in a bevy, 

 and the killing-off of the cocks is apt to be 

 followed by a more peaceful, hence more pro- 

 ductive, breeding season. When a hen goes 

 whirring away by herself, as frequently happens, 

 and pitches at a point a safe distance from where 

 the main flight has gone, she should not be fol- 



