l66 COCK SHOOTING. 



although it is supposed that at this time the 

 bird has his siesta. Here a number of beaters 

 are absolutely necessary ; and you may either 

 choose or have a walk chosen for you, or wait 

 at the skirts of the thicket or wood. Should 

 the ground be covered with brown fern and 

 dry grass, so much the better for the chances 

 of a find. If you are within the enclosure you 

 have no child's play to make good shooting. 

 The light is not unseldom defective, and when 

 a beater shouts ( Mark cock !' it requires a quick 

 eye to detect the side the bird has taken while 

 it is within range. Snap shots are almost in- 

 variably the best on such occasions, and it is 

 requisite to aim considerably in advance of the 

 cock, often perhaps with a couple of trees' 

 difference between the spot in which you catch 

 a glimpse of him and the spot at which you 

 fire. To effect this with decent success re- 

 quires more skill with a fowling-piece than any 

 other sport :vith a gun that we know of. It is 

 far better, however, if you have the selection, 

 to choose an outside post if possible on a high 

 ground which overlooks the wood. Favourite 

 resorts of cock are valleys, narrow passes with 



