PHEASANTS FROM SHELL TO SHOT 351 



only rises, or, rather, flutters up when actually poked with 

 a stick or trodden upon. 



Yet, on the other hand, the stands must not be so exposed 

 as to turn the birds back or enable them to sheer off. They 

 must be placed, according to locality and circumstances, so 

 that they bring about the results desired. 



In some parts it is next to impossible to situate the guns 

 where they can secure rocketing shots, in which case 

 one must act for the best and remain satisfied, for, as the 

 old proverb has it, " Contentment is more than a kingdom." 



Beaters, too, cause great anxiety. Although the keepers 

 may muster them and see to their punctuality, organisation 

 and all connected with them, it is always advisable to have 

 someone in authority constantly in their midst at least, 

 so long as they are in covert. If this is not provided for, 

 when they go into the underwood, where they cannot be 

 seen, they wander about in all directions except the way 

 they should go, following each other like a flock of sheep. 

 Before a start is effected it should be seen that they are all 

 equi-distant apart, and, most essential requirement of all, in 

 line. Do not allow them to shout and yell like maniacs, but 

 to keep continuously tapping the underwood with their sticks. 

 Advance steadily and regularly, always in a line, and never 

 permit four or five to get together in a cluster, as they have 

 a great partiality for doing. On coming to a ditch or other 

 stoppage the whole line should halt until all are over and 

 occupying their regular places, in line, before the advance 

 is signalled. 



Now, although this may read to many as quite superfluous, 

 it is really a very serious matter, and greater care should 

 be taken in marshalling the beaters than is generally done. 



In many large preserves, where the beaters are numbered 

 and drilled like a volunteer corps, they know from constant 

 practice precisely what is required. But in others, where 

 they are frequently changed, there is chaos. 



The actual methods of shooting the game are various, 

 and worked according to the temperament of the happy 



