298 TRAP-SHOOTING. 



away from the stand, the chances are against the 

 shooter, whereas if one approaches, the difficulty of 

 killing is not much greater than with single birds. 



In England a better rule in shooting single birds 

 generally prevails, by which the rise is extended to 

 twenty-five or thirty yards, but the shooter is al- 

 lowed to use both barrels ; thus occasionally making 

 some brilliant shots at long distances, and proving 

 the qualities, not merely of the sportsman, but of 

 his weapon. Firing a single barrel at a pigeon 

 within thirty yards, is dull sport ; better marksman- 

 ship is required to stop him at from thirty-five to 

 forty with the first barrel, even with the additional 

 chance with the second at from forty to fifty. 



No scattering gun, filling the air with its cloud 

 of mustard-seed, will answer for this work; the 

 closest and strongest-shooting gun will have to be 

 held so true that the centre of the charge will hit 

 the object, to obtain the least chance with the second 

 barrel, or to insure certainty even with the first. 

 Fewer birds that are fairly hit will go out of bounds, 

 as the second barrel may complete the work of the 

 first ; and the best marksman will generally exhibit 

 himself by the management of this barrel, to use 

 which at all will require extreme rapidity and accu- 

 racy. 



This fact has been recognised occasionally at con- 

 ventions, or where the contests were for honor and 

 not money, by increasing the distance at which ties 

 are shot ofi'. In a large match there are always 

 several ties, which are shot off at five birds, and 



