146 PIGEON SHOOTING. 



range of the shot. Gun-locks for these matches 

 should have fine, quick action, and very powerful 

 springs. The most killing shot will be found No. 4. 



So much for the tame shooting of pigeons ; now 

 for the fashion of the wild sport. As with the whole 

 species of wild birds, this sport is not a pursuit, but 

 an ambush. You must wait for wild fowl, and not 

 follow them. 



The true season for woodpigeon shooting is mid- 

 winter, when the snow lies on the ground. Then 

 they resort to the turnip-fields, and may be turned to 

 good account. Should it be frost, and you cannot 

 approach them, even under cover of a hedge, in con- 

 sequence of the noise made by the ice breaking as 

 you walk, you will do well to lie in wait for their 

 return from feeding of course, to leeward of their 

 flight. The favourite food of the woodpigeon in 

 cover, is beech-mast; it will, therefore, be most 

 frequently met with where beech trees abound. 

 Having taken your station in the vicinity of them, 

 be in no hurry to fire till your bird has settled on 

 his perch, and taken his preliminary survey. Be 

 but patient till he has done this, and he may be shot 

 at as easily as a barn-door fowl ; but if you move the 

 least before he has settled, he will be off like a 

 rocket. 



In September, Captain Lacy says, whilst the 

 leaves are yet green, the cushat, or woodpigeon, is 

 very fond of perching in hedge-rows, particularly of 

 oak and ash ; but when the leaves fall, they confine 



