124 EXTRACTS FROM NOTE-BOOKS. CH. XXVII. 



with his performance. All this must, of course, 

 add to the expense ; but it is money well expended 

 if, after all, a double-barrelled rifle does shoot per- 

 fectly true. Another important point which should 

 be borne in mind with regard to rifles is, that those 

 of very small bore do not carry so true for long 

 shots as larger ones. 



It is difficult to lay down any specific rule as to 

 the most effective size of small shot for shooting 

 game and wild fowl. Some sportsmen strenuously 

 assert that one particular number is the only right 

 kind, or indeed the only kind that ought to be 

 used ; others tell you quite a different story. For 

 my own part I consider that for all flying game 

 the shooter should rather be inclined to small sizes 

 than large. No. 7, for instance, kills partridges 

 and even grouse more effectively than a larger size. 

 For wild-duck shooting too, where you shoot at 

 single birds. No. 5, or even No. 6, appear to me 

 to kill oftener than the larger sizes more generally 

 used. I am, indeed, convinced that small shot 

 works its way better than large through the down 

 and feathers ; the latter, notwithstanding its superior 

 force, getting rolled up in the down, while the 

 former cuts through it, and kills the bird. For 

 flocks of ducks larger shot may be used ; but even 

 then too large sizes do less execution than smaller 



