PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 349 



are made up for in a way, as the guns who walk have 

 all they can manage in looking after ground game ; so, 

 taking one consideration with another, this is a berth, if 

 anything, to be desired rather than avoided. 



The wing guns who perambulate the outskirts of the 

 cover do not always occupy an enviable time or position, 

 unless the boundaries are very rough and irregular, in which 

 case ground game and birds are constantly breaking. 



Now all these to the outside guest trivial details must 

 be carefully taken into consideration and provided for by 

 the host, who should find out and remember after each drive 

 what shooting the guns have had, and on the next occasion 

 replace them with a view to divide the sport to the best 

 of his ability, also according to how and where he desires 

 the game killed. 



There is yet another difficulty to be contended against. 

 The birds will run forward and congregate, instead of rising 

 by degrees, as desired. Many are the stratagems, methods 

 and plans resorted to in endeavours to reverse this state of 

 affairs. Sometimes nets are placed at intervals, rags on 

 strings, small hoardings, stops, etc., all of which more or 

 less tend to interfere with the ground game. But, of course, 

 if this objection is immaterial, they probably may be utilised 

 with success. 



To exemplify the above, an instance is quoted which took 

 place on Balls' home beat. On that occasion, whilst shooting 

 the big wood, where the bag amounted to upwards of 400, 

 until an hour previous to knocking off two solitary pheasants 

 only were killed, which, having risen far ahead of the beaters, 

 were stopped whilst endeavouring to break back. The entire 

 body ran for one corner, which was surrounded, with the 

 before-mentioned result. 



Another trouble to be surmounted is, to so work the 

 birds that, besides moving in the direction desired, they at 

 the same time offer to the shooters the most difficult shots 

 possible. And this, as a rule, is the hardest task to 

 successfully achieve. 



