SHOOTING 309 



put np his head just a minute or so too soon, and 

 the birds saw him. Firing a hasty right and left 

 as they pass over, he is greatly surprised at a bird 

 falling nearly on the top of him, the fact being 

 that the two he shot at were clean missed, but one 

 of the hindmost of the covey flew into the shot. 

 And now the scene begins to be very interesting ; 

 the birds are beginning to run out of the roots on 

 to the large stubble in front, not by ones and twos, 

 but by twenties at a time, the French birds of 

 course being first. It is most curious to notice 

 their dodges — how they run about looking for 

 places to hide in, and when they discover the 

 least shelter drop down into it at once ; but you 

 cannot spare much attention to them, as the coveys 

 begin to rise thick and fast, and cries of " Mark 

 over ! " are incessant. The work now begins to be 

 very exciting, and the fusillade kept up reminds 

 one of the commencement of a general action, so 

 sustained is it. Some of the younger hands, 

 thorouglily overcome by the excitement of their 

 first drive, are firing wildly, as if they thought they 

 should not have a second chance. By way of con- 

 trast, look at the man stationed three or four 

 stands from you, and see the machine-like regularity 

 with which he knocks the birds over ; no flurry of 

 any sort, the gun brought up easily, the two sharp 



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