THE PEAT ISLE. 253 



within range of your duck gun from the nearest point on 

 the shore, when they are a long way beyond it. I have 

 several times, under these circumstances, selected my 

 pair, made my run down the bank to the beach, and found 

 that the distance had been much foreshortened by my con- 

 strained view from above. When I got to the level ground, 

 they were quite out of shot. 



A wild-fowl gun for Highland lochs should not be very 

 weighty, as a ponderous weapon is so uncomfortable to 

 stalk with. It should be light enough to take smart 

 rights and lefts. The largest charge of mine is one ounce 

 and three-quarters of shot, and I can pull down snipe and 

 woodcocks with it quite readily. Most people, however, 

 prefer a duck gun that will carry at least two ounces of 

 shot. 





