122 WILD DUCKS. 



It is almost presumptuous of me to offer any tips to Tientsin 

 sportsmen on duck shooting, for many of them have years of experience 

 behind them. Still, to beginners, the following hints may be of help. 



No. 4 shot is perha])s the best size for duck, used in a 12 bore gun 

 with left barrel full "choke." When shooting never fire at birds 

 coming head on, but wait till they are just past, and then choose 

 birds which are side on, not dead overhead. The reason for this is 

 two-fold. First an on-eomiiig duck presents only its chest as a mark, 

 and the' thick feathers pointing backwards cause the shot to glance off. 

 Secondly such shot as enter find their way only into the thick muscles 

 of the breast and do no vital damage. On the other hand, shot reach- 

 ing the bird from behind, below or to one side, travel up the feathers, 

 do not glance off, and find lodgment in the vitals, which are protected 

 on the side only by the fragile, lightly covered ribs. 



Unless a duck-punt is used it is almost hopeless to try for duck 

 except in the earlj' morning or evening, and the best results may be 

 had, out here at least, by waiting for the evening flights. To avoid 

 disappointment the feeding grounds should be carefully located, and 

 the regular lines of flight noted. 



In conclusion the writer would like to suggest that the Tientsin 

 sportsmen keep records of the different species of duck, and other 

 interesting birds they secure, and send their results to the editors of 

 the local papers. 



