2IO PLOVER SHOOTING. 



faggots previously planted about the spot, say 

 the night before you intend to go out. Creep- 

 ing from one to the other like a deer-stalker, 

 and wearing grey clothes, you may manage to 

 fire a right and left into the " stand." As long 

 as the birds are running about and feeding, it 

 is certain that they do not hear the fowler or 

 know of his vicinity, but the moment they 

 stop and remain as fixed and steady as stones, 

 it is equally certain that they fear danger. At 

 this instant a " rush " is about the very best 

 thing to be done. Say you are ninety yards 

 off; start up suddenly with the gun on full 

 cock, and the birds are often so startled by 

 this stratagem as to remain on the ground a 

 few seconds. Fire one barrel at some particular 

 bird in the centre of the phalanx, and lose no 

 time in letting fly with the other as the regi- 

 ment is forming. If you have a breech-loader, 

 do not omit to charge again without delay. If 

 you have wounded any birds, they begin to 

 whistle and will recall, though they are miles 

 away skirling and wheeling over the hills, their 

 companions, who come flying into your face, 

 and skimming the fern over the heads of the 

 cripples. 



