SHOOTING ON THE WING. 65 



piece had been loaded. Much time is also lost in hunting up 

 wounded birds, to say nothing of the labor and worriment attend- 

 ing it ; for we know nothing more provoking than to see a bird 

 fall and nutter within a few feet of us and not be able to lay our 

 hand upon it. Every bird, therefore, should be killed dead at from 

 twenty-five to thirty paces and under, with a good gun and the 

 proper ammunition : we occasionally have knocked birds down at 

 much greater distances, even as far as fifty, sixty, and seventy 

 paces by actual measurement ; but we esteem all such lucky shots 

 as mere accidents. 



Not only on the score of vexation and trouble should the sports- 

 man strive to become a clean shot, but for humanity's sake also, 

 as a bungler in this respect will mutilate and abandon to a linger- 

 ing death more birds in the course of a day than he will actually 

 bag. A bird with a broken wing or a torn leg dangling from its 

 body may live in misery and pain for several days, skulking 

 about solitary and alone, half-starved and parched with thirst, and 

 ultimately fall a victim to a prowling serpent, or be taken off by a 

 hawk or some other one of its enemies. 



"As glory more than gain allures the brave 

 To dare the combat loud or louder wave, 

 So the ambition of the sportsman lies 

 More in the certain shot than bleeding prize ; 

 While poachers, mindful of the festal hour, 

 Among the covey random slaughter pour, 

 And, as their number press the crimsoned ground, 

 Regardless reck not of the secret wound, 

 Which borne away, the wretched victims lie, 

 'Mid silent shades, to languish and to die. 

 Oh let your breasts such selfish views disclaim, 

 And scorn the triumph of a casual aim ; 

 Disdain such rapine ; of your skill be proud, 

 The object singling from the scattering crowd." 



