Sporting Notes in the Far East. 41 



When firing with a big gun, at geese or duck, rising at some 

 distance ; aim well above and before them, and try and get your 

 shot in at that moment just before they swerve down wind. The 

 reason I give for firing high is, that if you do not do so, by the 

 time your heavy shot have reached the flock, they will be falling 

 harmlessly into the water far below them. 



When waiting for geese, never move till they are right on top of 

 you ; when coming straight on, aim at the head, and if crossing, 

 get your shot in if possible under the wing, by aiming at the lower 

 part of the neck, where it joins the body. 



In the gloaming, when geese fly in from seaward to feed during 

 the night, they are particularly fond of a swamp with a taste of salt 

 in it. Therefore, should there be any small marsh adjoining the 

 " briny,' 1 which is also (as in all probability) enclosed by a sea 

 wall ; half-way down it on the land side will be the place to wait. 



There are many such places as these in Corea, and when 

 secreted, the timely '* honk, honk," from the flock, will always give 

 ample warning of their approach. 



In some parts of China and Corea, where geese are not often 

 molested, they become quite indifferent to the presence of the 

 natives ; and in these places dressing oneself up in the garb of the 

 country, is for a short time most effective in approaching birds. 

 But even then, somehow or other the Chinese wild goose seems 

 to know a " foreign devil,'' whatever rig he is in ; doubtless it 



