COVERT-SHOOTING 287 



are encouraged to keep well up by three 

 rows of 'lifters,' or men with flags. 

 Few, however, can afford such costly 

 precautions ; only some thought must be 

 given to the influence of an adverse wind 

 on the march of events. At the same 

 time, it is surprising to see what a strong 

 wind pheasants will beat up against, 

 when their faces are set homewards, and 

 how easily they are missed under those 

 conditions. 



The curious fact may be noted here 

 that almost every one who shoots would 

 rather have pheasants high, even though 

 they are quite straightforward and fairly 

 easy, than the few varieties of difficult, low 

 pheasants such as those skimming down 

 a hillside or facing half a gale of wind. 



From wind to weather is a natural tran- 

 sition. Wet and rain play the mischief 

 with covert-shooting ; it is hard to give 

 up shooting when all the many prepara- 

 tions are complete, and the guns and 

 beaters ready to start. But whenever 

 there is any question of whether the day 



