216 WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 



they shoot below and behind their birds; and this is 

 particularly apt to be the case where the game, as 

 witb wild-fowl, appears to move more slowly than it 

 really does. 



To the novice in this peculiar sport, the second 

 difficulty to overcome will be the inabiUty to judge 

 distances. Not only do objects appear over the 

 water nearer than they really are, but there is no 

 neighboring object that wUl aid the judgment in 

 coming to a correct conclusion ; and by changes 

 in the weather birds in the air will seem to be 

 nearer or further off, and their plumage will be 

 more or less distinctly visible, according to circum- 

 stances. After several days' experience iu dark, 

 cloudy weather, the greatest proficient will, on the 

 first ensuing day of bright sunshine, throw away 

 many useless shots at impracticable distances. 



There is no criterion to determine the distance 

 of any bird high above the horizon, and any recom- 

 mendation to wait till the eyes can be seen — the 

 book-maker's rule — is worse than useless; it is a 

 matter of experience and judgment. 



There is no better time to kill ducks than when 

 they are coming head on, the commonly promulgated 

 idea that their feathers will turn the heavy shot 

 being simj)ly absurd ; and all the marksman has to 

 do is to cover his bird, pitch his gun a trifle up- 

 wards, and pull the trigger. 



In the matter of ammunition, the high numbers 

 of shot and the light charges of powder of old 

 times have changed by general consent; and for 



