PREPARATIONS FOR SHOOTING 187 



employed in having the pointers in proper order and 

 condition ; the whereabouts and number of coveys 

 ascertained, the cutting of corn almost impatiently 

 watched, as it fell slowly before the sickle, and gradually 

 disappeared from the fields. The day preceding this 

 grand event was devoted to the arrangement of shooting 

 accoutrements, laying in a stock of powder and shot, 

 cleaning the gun, and other necessary preparations. 

 In those times, by the break of day we were in the field ; 

 breakfast was laid over-night, and by three o'clock of 

 the auspicious morning we were astir, with little trouble 

 in being awakened from our restless slumbers. Although 

 it is well known to experienced sportsmen that the early 

 dawn is by no means the most favourable time for 

 partridge-shooting, yet could not our impatience be 

 checked by this consideration. We were generally on 

 the ground when the birds were calling all around us to 

 prepare for their morning meal in the stubble fields, 

 and little time was allowed them for breakfast. The 

 first shot was often fired in the direction pointed out by the 

 covey at its first rising, without our being able to dis- 

 tinguish one bird from another ; or in other words, into 

 the brown of the covey, which if it did not effect much 

 execution, would have at least the effect, according to 

 our old keeper's ideas, of scattering them abroad, and 

 making them lie closer for the next discharge. 



The aim of every steady and well-broken sportsman 

 should be directed to one individual bird, but when the 

 covey wheels round I have seen' some clever hands wait 

 the birds crossing, and bring down their brace at each 

 shot. This is a quick method of filling the bag, although 

 not considered quite the legitimate one. Some men 

 shoot with one eye closed, others with both open, directed 



