98 ‘SHOOTING THE PARTRIDGE 
shot, and unless a bird at easy distance is hit in the 
head or neck, or at least well on the forward part of 
the body, it affords the professor no satisfaction what- 
ever. Here are two diagrams representing what I 
mean, and it will be observed that, although the bird 
in fig. 1 would undoubtedly come down and look as 
though fairly hit to the average observer, it is really 
not at all a good shot. Fig. 2 shows the same bird 
struck as it should be, the centre of the charge. being 
a little in advance of the bird’s beak. 
It is just possible to miss birds altogether in trying 
for the result shown in fig. 2, but my impression is 
that this is rare, and only occurs with first-rate shots 
when the birds are very close, and they are trying to 
kill without mashing them. But it is better to miss 
quantities in this way than to get into the habit—for 
it zs a habit, even with some very good shots—of 
shooting just six inches too far back. Forward and 
high oust be the shooter’s motto ; if he ever shoots 
over or in front of a bird, and can be certain of the 
fact, let him take careful note of it—he will not do it 
often. I well remember being sent to stand in a gale 
of wind for ducks and teal disturbed from a long 
distance and coming down wind. The first lot that 
came over me, wide and high to the right, were five 
big ducks. he pace was terrific. I laid on what 
