WILD-FOWL SHOOTING UNDER SAIL. 215 



his chances of obtaining" a shot ; and, regardless of the actions of any 

 of those behind him, he should keep his attention fixed mainly upon 

 the birds pursued. 



A well-trained crew will require no caution; as the yacht ap- 

 proaches the birds, they keep their heads below the bulwarks, and 

 avoid moving 1 limb or feature. 



On putting up a flight of wild-fowl at sea, the route they take 

 should be narrowly watched, their alight carefully noted, their species 

 made out, and other things considered, previous to pursuing them. 

 A powerful telescope is an indispensable requisite aboard a shooting 

 yacht, and indeed for almost every branch of the sport as connected 

 with boating. 



When a gaggle of black geese is discovered at sea, it should first 

 be considered by the helmsman whether he can fetch to windward of 

 them or not ; for it is invariably found useless to attempt getting 

 within range by running directly to leeward. The skipper should 

 bear-away, or make two or three tacks in a contrary direction, until 

 he finds he can fairly fetch them ; then, by reaching* along at full 

 sail, keep the yacht on such a tack that the birds may be under the 

 lee- bow. The sails of the vessel hide the deck and its occupants from 

 view, so that nothing can be seen stirring the yacht all the while 

 gaining rapidly and coming quickly upon them : the moment 

 they rise, the helm should be put down to luff the yacht into the 

 eye of the wind, for they are almost certain to rise to windward, and 

 cross the bows of the yacht. Then is the critical moment (if within 

 range) to pull trigg'er, when 



" Some lifeless fall, others, with flutt'ring wing 

 Attempt, in vain, to rise again in air." 



By neglecting to put the helm down at the moment of the birds' 

 rising from the water, they will be found to be too far to windward 

 or, rather, abreast of the weather shrouds before the sportsman 

 could shoot ; and then, of course, it is too late. The swivel-gun 

 should not be fired abaft the shrouds : independently of the diffi- 

 culty of taking aim in a broadside position, there is danger of 

 shooting away the yacht's rigging, besides other obstacles rendering 

 such a proceeding imprudent. Almost everything depends on the 

 helmsman, aboard the shooting yacht : he must be constantly on the 

 qui vive, and quick and skilful in luffing up in such a manner as to 

 cross the flight of the birds (see engraving opposite). Wild-fowl are 



