S24 WILD FOWL SHOOTING. 



seem, and are moYing fast. That it takes tiime to decide 

 fcdsbootj topless the trigger, to ignite the powder, for 

 the s^hot to reach the bird, the time is iofiiutesimal, and 

 yet the bird moAfes swiftly all the while. Then hoM 

 well ahead, don't he afraid of getting too far, for your 

 eatiroate of distanee will almost invariably be less than 

 it should be, and when you think you are holding fom- 

 feet ahead a£ the bird, ypu wHl not be over two. On 

 a duqk you estimate at 40 yards, going at a moderate 

 gate, say a mallard ; let it come a little to your side 

 ajad over, just as it gets near you cooUy bring up your 

 gun, draw it in behind,, gauge the swinging of the gun 

 %■ the speed of the bird; cover/the bird, then advance 

 ahead just as the bird is passing you ; keep the gun 

 moving, and when you think you are from two to three 

 feet ahead, steadily pull the trigger^ and you have 

 eeatered the bird. Pon't check the moving of the gun 

 until you hear the report. 



In other chapters, of this book,, full directions have 

 been given how to aim at, ducks in their diffei'cnt 

 flights ; but let the reader bear in mind that the great- 

 est fault of every beginner and inexperienced duck-shot 

 is to shacd b&Mnd. So, try to overcome this universal 

 fault, and on cross or quartering ducks shoot from one 

 to ten feet ahead» according to their distance from you, 

 and the speed with which they are flying. 



When ducks jump up and fly from you, they are con- 

 .s.tantly rising ; your shot obeying the laws of gravita- 

 tion will drop. These things must be taken into con- 

 sideration, and you should aim well over the bird, from 

 5 to 2.Q inches. 



Never fear your gun bursting by an excessive charge. 

 Any good gun v»ill safely stand the strain of tliree times 



