Rail-shooting 269 



you are in the midst of thick wild oats, so high it 

 is difficult in many places to see over the tops, 

 even from your exalted position. A flutter just 

 ahead, and a rail rises, shot almost before it 

 cleared the grass ; a few feathers alone are left to 

 tell the fate of the first bird of the season. The 

 next is given a chance to get in range, and the 

 score is two ; three or four more straight exalt a 

 man's idea of his shooting ability, — without rea- 

 son, though, for no easier mark ever flew in front of 

 a gun. Now a rail runs among some broken grass 

 ahead of the boat, and a whack from the pusher's 

 pole starts him ; at the shot half a dozen teal jump 

 within range, and the last one is feathered but not 

 stopped. Presently several rail start in quick suc- 

 cession ; you fire, and load, and fire again, — not 

 a miss yet, but all idea of definite direction is lost 

 and the last bird is the only one marked. Here 

 a clever pusher shows his skill, and after you have 

 given up all thought of retrieving he picks them 

 up in order. Under these circumstances painted 

 blocks can be used and tossed out to mark the 

 dead birds before the position of the boat is 

 changed. The time of high tide is short, but 

 sufficient ; every few seconds a bird rises, its slow 

 flight affording a sure mark ; generally in front 

 or to the side, occasionally behind, when you are 

 startled by the pusher's yell " Hi, rail ! " in time to 

 try a long shot. Sometimes a larger bird, of the 



