408 SHOOTING. 



distances ; but, with the fowling-piece and am- 

 munition of the period we are speaking of, it was 

 necessary to take aim half a yard above or before 

 the object moving, for a bird would fly that dis- 

 tance at least, after the trigger was drawn, and 

 before the shot reached it ; or if it made a sudden 

 turn, the shot swept past it, as a clumsy over- 

 reaching greyhound will pass a hare as she turns. 

 Besides the less chance of killing with one of those 

 long heavy guns, the shooter would not fire half so 

 often as with a light one ; so much more time 

 being necessary to bring up the piece and to cal- 

 culate the requisite allowance, the bird would gene- 

 rally be behind the next tree before the gun would 

 he at the shoulder. Such was the slowness of 

 ignition, that wild-fowl would take alarm at the 

 flash from the pan, and dive out of harm's way ere 

 the shot reached the water. In all shooting, whether 

 in the open or in cover, a deal depends upon where 

 the shooter places himself, a knowledge of this 

 part of his art will enable him to obtain twice as 

 many fair shots as his uninitiated companion. 

 When shooting in high covers, the sportsman 

 should push on hastily through those parts where, 

 though very likely for game, he cannot command 

 a view of it should it rise ; but whenever he comes 

 to a glade that commands a view in several direc- 

 tions, he should wait some time while his dogs beat 

 around him, and his companions, buried in brambles 

 and brushwood, pass him. It is often advisable to 

 follow a footpath in a wood, particularly where 

 ground shots are expected, 



