SHOOTING ON THE WING. 51 



larity, although with a sudden impetus imparted to it by the 

 operations of the spring, and most frequently taking a bewil- 

 dered though easy flight, is brought down with the greatest 

 facility by those accustomed to its usual course of action at 

 such times. 



How tame, how vastly different is all this to the sudden and 

 unlooked-for spring of our vigorous little Partridge, as with a 

 startling noise he bounces up from under our very feet, and 

 long before any save the initiated one can recover from his be- 

 wilderment and bring his piece to bear upon the affrighted Bird, 

 it has fairly soared far beyond his reach, yes, even beyond his 

 sharpest vision. And then, again, the deep, sonorous, and even 

 still more perplexing whir of the Ruffed Grouse, as he goes 

 booming off through the entangled thickets bordering the 

 mountain streams ; or the delve-resounding start of the lonely 

 Woodcock, as he rushes through the marshy brake, all in the 

 full vigor and freshness of his native freedom. 



The whirring noise consequent upon the springing of a covey 

 or even of a single Bird is not a little trying to the nerves of 

 a young shot, and it requires some considerable time to accus- 

 tom his ears to this startling sound, which, however, will wear 

 off by degrees, no matter how nervous he may be at first. 

 When the Dogs have come to a stand, advance noiselessly and 

 with firmness towards the spot indicated, holding the gun 

 cocked, and with the muzzle in such a position that its contents 

 could not injure any. one of the company, even if it should by 

 any mishap go ofi' before you have the proper range on the 

 Birds. Be careful, above all, not to shoot the Dogs; which ac- 

 cident, by the by, has happened more than once to heedless 

 beginners. When the Birds are flushed, raise the gun with 

 perfect coo Z?iess and deliberation ; single out first one Bird and 

 then another, if you have a double-barrelled gun, as every 

 Sportsman should have, and be sure not to pull trigger upon 

 either of them till they are well covered. That is, when look- 

 ing down the barrel plate, the eye, the sight, the point, and the 

 Bird are all in the same line, this, then, is the moment to fire; 

 do not, therefore, hesitate an instant; do not dwell upon the 

 object after it is once covered, or you will inevitably lose the 

 point of sight and the load will pass under the Bird. . 



