220 THE KEEPER'S BOOK 



and the beaters are to advance, he may choose one of 

 several methods, the most usual being the advance in 

 line and the " half-moon " principle. The former plan 

 is the more common, especially when the field is at all 

 extensive, but it is as well to recommend, when this 

 practice is followed, that when the end guns are close 

 to a hedge one or two of them should be flanked, that 

 is, a little in advance of the others. When a strong 

 wind is blowing across the field, it would be better that 

 the line be flanked in every beat. The keeper's atten- 

 tion must be constantly kept to the formation and even- 

 ness of the line of guns and beaters. If the "half- 

 moon " pattern be used, it is necessary to drop a polite 

 hint as to the danger involved. If this be done judi- 

 ciously, it will be well for the whole party and will not 

 cause offence. 



For an elaborate description of this form of advance, 

 and for information as to other less used methods such 

 as the advance by echelon, the keeper is referred to 

 Lord Walsingham's excellent account in the volume 

 on Shooting in the Badminton Library. 



It is hardly necessary to add that in approaching 

 a covey in a stubble or lea field, never by any chance 

 should the guns be advised to advance directly on the 

 birds. They must be flanked, and approached by a 

 wide horseshoe pattern, which tends to become a circle 

 as the guns proceed. 



(7) If in beating a field there be no desire to drive 

 birds in one particular direction, then the guns and 



