THE RAIL. 211 



or cut wads. If cartridges are used, there will be no occasion 

 for wads ; and as we employ them altogether when shooting 

 Eails, we have no division in our box for holding wads. The 

 box should be made of good stout tin, and well soldered together, 

 with a cover or lid sufficiently large to close up either apart- 

 ment, and so made that when thrown from the powder it will 

 fall over and cover up the shot or cartridges, and when the 

 shot is exposed to view, the powder will necessarily be covered 

 up, and thus prevent accidents, and the provoking consequences 

 arising from the small seeds, stems, and dirt falling into the 

 powder, when the boat is being propelled through the high 

 reeds. It is better not to have a handle to the box, as it would 

 necessarily have to be square, and over six inches high from 

 the top of the box, so as to allow the lid to pass under it ; and 

 being made in this way, would have a clumsy appearance, and 

 be of no particular benefit, but rather interfere with the motion 

 of the hands when loading with rapidity. If the box is filled 

 with the necessary ammunition before leaving the house, it may 

 be very conveniently carried to the boat by tying it up in a 

 stout handkerchief. But we prefer taking all our accoutrements 

 to the boat in a small basket, and then transferring them to the 

 box, before leaving the shore. The basket also answers a very 

 good purpose for carrying the Birds in from the boat on our 

 return, as they dry much better, and the plumage looks far 

 more nice than when dangling to a long string, upon which 

 they become soiled and ruffled, by dragging on the ground, or 

 pitching about in the boat. However, if a stationary handle 

 is convenient on some accounts, and inconvenient on others, it 

 is easy enough to have a shifting one put on, that may be taken 

 off at pleasure — but we prefer the old cotton handkerchief or 

 basket to the contrary, and so does a valued friend of ours, a 

 veteran Sportsman, from whom we took the idea. 



Thus equipped, and provided with a good portion of ice to 

 allay the parching thirst that generally attends this sport during 

 the hot days of summer, the Shooter takes his position in the 

 bow of the boat, with gun in hand, left leg forward, and his 

 body firmly balanced. Being rightly placed, the Sportsman 

 now trusts himself to the skill and management of the " pusher" 



