OF SHOOTING. 21/ 



tice will certainly remedy this defect. But both these 

 ridiculous habits might certainly be avoided by only 

 a common share of reflection and self-command. 

 That there have been instances of both kinds, no one 

 will attempt to deny ; and it is equally certain, that a 

 person who practises either, if he kill a bird or a hare, 

 must be entirely indebted to chance. 



I will now suppose the sportsman in the field, pro- 

 perly equipped, and in possession of a gun, with the 

 range and method of carrying of which he is perfectly 

 acquainted. If a covey rise, and fly in a straight line 

 from the shooter, he should select one particularly, 

 and, cocking his piece, bring it firmly to his shoulder, 

 and deliberately take aim the bird will be almost 

 sure to fall. The method to avoid missing a cross 

 shot, whether it be flying or running, is not only to 

 take aim before the object, but likewise not involun- 

 tarily to check or stock the motion (if I may be al- 

 lowed the expression) of the arms at the moment of 

 pulling the trigger ; for the instant the hand stops, in 

 order to fire, although the space of time is almost im- 

 perceptible, the object gets beyond the line of aim, 

 and the shot will consequently fly behind it : if a hare 

 is shot at in this manner, especially if at a considera- 

 ble distance, the animal may be slightly struck in the 

 buttocks, but will most likely escape. It becomes 

 therefore extremely essential to accustom the arms, 

 in taking aim, to correspond with the motion of the 

 object, without suspending this motion, even in the 

 smallest degree ; the contrary habit (which is very 



