62 BROADLAND SPORT 



in the rack and do not handle it until required. Bearing 

 this in mind, one should choose a heavyish weapon (if 

 you can swing it with equal dexterity) in preference to the 

 one you would select with thoughts of marsh perambulation. 

 For all-round shooting over decoys, a double 10-bore, half 

 and full choke, is most advantageous. And if you like to 

 have in reserve a mower-down for flocks and longer ranges, 

 why, a single 4-bore with india-rubber heel-pad will be found 

 of great assistance. The charges rest more with the boldness of 

 the sportsman ; but heavy loads are more often a mistake than 

 otherwise. You might however recollect that the more metal 

 and the tighter you nip the stock of your gun the less recoil 

 will be felt, and a substantial breech is an advantage rather 

 than a fault. 



In shooting do not attempt snap or wild shots, if you can 

 possibly obtain any other, as in the long run they decidedly do 

 not pay. The most telling and deadly method to adopt is the 

 cool, deliberate and calculating shot, which is a noteworthy 

 peculiarity of the expert, who is always a first-rate judge of 

 velocity, height, distance and the resistance of the wind. 

 Also bear in mind that shots drop considerably, especially the 

 heavier pellets. And when birds jump, or are flying from 

 your decoys, they are rising with more or less velocity, ac- 

 cording to the species another item for study, so therefore 

 do not fear to shoot well over them, vice versa when going 

 away straight over your head. 



Never neglect to clean your guns both before and after 

 usage, especially if on saltings, as the air alone is amply 

 sufficient to do serious injury if the cleaning is neglected. 

 The names of the different receipts for this are legion, and 

 amongst them vaseline will be found by no means a despicable 

 one. 



A few words more as to the actions of wildfowl upon 

 observing decoys. Wildfowl, upon entering the boundaries 

 of a strange water, generally take many sweeps round, high 

 up, gradually lowering in order to obtain a fair idea of where 

 they are settling themselves, and also the general surround- 



