IMPRUDENT HANDLING OF FIRE-AHMS. 203 



as if meclianically to the point. When a tyro' 

 the instructions I received from a keeper (who was 

 a dead shot) were to close one eye, and to fire the 

 instant the bird's head crossed the sight. This 

 rule, I am fain to admit, was not always punctually 

 observed ; for having a gun which was inclined to 

 kick a little, it often happened that at the critical 

 moment of pulling the trigger hotli eyes became 

 closed, and with a nervous bob of the head, a 

 most innocuous discharge against the feathered tribe 

 was the result. A recoiling gun should never be 

 placed in the hands of a young beginner, as it is 

 ten to one that it spoils him for a good shot, if 

 not for ever afterwards, yet for a considerable time 

 at least. Our keeper, however, formed, an exception 

 to this general rule, for he always shot with a 

 violent kicker, because the gun would kill at long 

 distances. There was on his right cheek a regu- 

 lar raw established during the Avhole shooting 

 season ; but although receiving such tremendous 

 taps that the blood often trickled down his face, 

 he never bobbed his head, nor could we persuade 

 him to resign his favourite. 



Fatal and fearful accidents are of almost daily 

 occurrence from the imprudent and careless hand- 

 ling of fire-arms, but it is wonderful, considering 

 the immense number of guns now in use, amongst 



