WOODCOCK SHOOTING 315 



the shooter has but an instant in which to act, the 

 results are far from being so fatal as one might fancy 

 them to be. Often there is but a momentary glimpse 

 of a dusky shadow flitting through or across a small 

 vista in the dense growth, and the shooter must fire 

 then or not at all, unless he is pleased at a purpose- 

 less tumult, that being the sum total when he shoots 

 and trusts to luck for the execution of his purposes. 



As in all other shooting, experience enables the 

 sportsman to recognize the promising nooks for wood- 

 cock and the signs which denote its presence, these 

 being the holes made by it in boring in the ground 

 for its food, and other indications well known to the 

 shooter, and which can only be recognized by experi- 

 ence. 



As to the labor and fatigue imposed on tHe dog 

 while seeking for woodcock, they are largely an ex- 

 aggeration. Wilson, in his work on the birds of North 

 America, specifically mentions the fatiguing efforts 

 which the dog encounters in woodcock shooting, and 

 mentions that relays of dogs are necessary. As a 

 matter of fact, the work of the dog in woodcock shoot- 

 ing is the easiest of all kinds of shooting. He must 

 range close to the shooter at most not beyond a gun- 

 shot if he is to serve the best purpose in that kind 

 of shooting and it is not at all essential or desirable 

 that he work at high speed. It is essential, however, 

 that he be intelligent, and know thoroughly the best 

 manner of working to the gun and assisting the shooter 

 to get his shots in a manner to insure success. He 



