SUGGESTIONS TO SPORTSMEN. 281 



he lost his balance, upset the canoe, and pitched for- 

 ward head-foremost overboard ! 



Probably one half of the fair shots that are missed 

 escape on account of this unfortunate nervousness; 

 and it is a habit that can only be cured by inces- 

 sant care and unrelaxed watchfulness. Anything 

 that affects the nerves, as smoking or drinking, in- 

 creases the difficulty, and the sudden flushing of a 

 bird will cause it. Unhappily it is apt to be most 

 prevalent when the shooting is good and the sports- 

 man excited, thus ruining many of his best days. 

 With heavy loads, or what is known as a kicking 

 gun, the error will be aggravated; and most per- 

 sons have no idea of the proper proportions of 

 powder and shot, putting in immense quantities of 

 the latter and sparing the former. 



The true load for a gun not exceeding eight 

 pounds in weight, regardless of its size or bore, is 

 one ounce and a quarter of shot and three drachms 

 of the strongest powder, or three and a half drachms 

 of common powder. The same proportion should 

 be retained if the gun is heavier or the charge in- 

 creased. Where more shot is used power is lost 

 and recoil aggravated; and if the powder is not 

 augmented one ounce of shot will do better execution 

 than two. 



Many persons who have ascertained this fact and 

 practise upon it, will inform you that they drive 

 their shot through the birds, and consequently kill 

 them instantly. This is a mistake ; small shot are 

 rarely, if ever, driven through a bird ; but where 



