ROOK SHOOTING. 103 



showing the necessity of using a ball large enough to pro- 

 duce such a shock to the system as shall cause a sudden 

 rather than a lingering death. All these elements must, 

 therefore, be taken into consideration in discussing the ques- 

 tion ; and no one can give or form an opinion without pre- 

 viously deciding on them. So, also, with regard to the choice 

 between muzzle-loading and breech-loading rifles, all must 

 depend upon the degree of accuracy and strength of shooting 

 which will be demanded. There can be no doubt that per se 

 quickness of loading is an excellent quality; and many a 

 chance is lost in the forest from the time taken up in loading 

 the old-fashioned tool. But if the breech-loading rifle shoots 

 with less accuracy and strength than the muzzle loader (of 

 which I am very doubtful), it cannot compete with it where 

 these latter qualities are of greater importance than the 

 former. For our British rifle shooting I am undoubtedly of 

 opinion that the breech-loader is sufficient in the above 

 respects, and that it will be found a most serviceable article 

 in the hands of a good shot. On the other hand, in shooting 

 elephants, tigers, and other very large quadrupeds, it will be 

 perhaps prudent to keep to the old arm ; at all events, until 

 it is demonstrated that recent improvements have effected a 

 sufficient alteration in the qualities of the new one. I am 

 here only indicating the general principles on which the 

 selection of a rifle should be made, leaving the practical de- 

 tails to be filled up in the part which treats of the various 

 kinds, their construction and management. (See Book V.) 



ROOK SHOOTING. 



When rooks are to be brought down by the rifle, most 

 men content themselves with sitting shots, using this kind 

 of gun as being more difficult than the shot-gun, and there- 

 fore more worthy of a sportsman's notice. Rook shooting 

 with an ounce and a half of shot is certainly only suited to 

 boys or more elderly tyros ; but with the rifle, at from sixty 

 to one hundred yards, so small a target as the body of this 

 bird presents is not very easily hit, and I have seen a tole- 

 rably practised shot miss the same rook half-a-dozen times in 

 succession. There are some men who bring down these 



