SHOOTING. 201 



muzzle of the fowling piece : nevertheless, in this respect, allow- 

 ance must be made for the trim of the gun, or for the manner in 

 which it throws the shot, with which I am supposing the sports- 

 man perfectly acquainted : the elevated breech too will have con- 

 siderable influence see page 156. If the bird should fly directly 

 across, or only partially so, and thus describe the segment of a 

 circle, the aim must be directed before the object ; if with a com- 

 mon gun, four inches ; with a percussion gun, two inches, sup- 

 posing the distance to be about thirty yards. The average of 

 shots is perhaps from twenty to thirty yards, though forty is 

 quite within reach, and even fifty, particularly with a percussion 

 gun see this Article, page 159. When the bird flies in the 

 shooter's face, as it were, or towards him, he should let it pass 

 before he attempts to fire, or he will be almost certain to miss. 



In what manner soever the object might present itself, I will 

 suppose it comes down ; and though it should fall directly in 

 view of your dogs, they must not stir. The sportsman will 

 direct his attention to the covey, and, after marking down, will 

 proceed to re-load. At the commencement of the season, part 

 of the covey will frequently remain ; if, therefore, the dogs are 

 not steady on the shot, mischief must ensue. I would not suffer 

 my dogs to follow a winged bird till I had re-loaded ; I would 

 much sooner lose the bird than injure my dogs ; though very 

 few winged birds will be lost with good dogs. 



Let me caution the sportsman, in loading, to keep the fowling- 

 piece at arm's length, and not hang his face over the muzzle. 

 Also, if he uses a double gun, let him examine, whether by any 

 means the other barrel has become cocked indeed, whether he 

 has fired or not, he ought to see that the cock or cocks are se- 

 cure, before he places the fowling-piece on his left arm for the 

 purpose of advancing, which should be carried with the trigger 

 forward, and as nearly perpendicular as possible. A gun is a 

 dangerous instrument, and therefore care is indispensable. 



