258 FIELD SHOOTING. 



many shots in distance as he can make at the 

 target in a quarter of an hour. Therefore, when 

 the young shooter begins at birds, it is to be 

 at birds on the wing — slow-flying birds, such as 

 meadow-larks, swamp blackbirds, and the like. 



The young shooter will be able to get within 

 twenty yards of larks. When the bird gets up, 

 bring the gun to the shoulder, take quick aim, 

 and fire. There is to be no dwelling on the aim, 

 which is to be point blank at a bird going 

 straight away from the gun, just as the sight 

 was plump on the target. By going into the 

 meadows and fields where swamp blackbirds fly 

 up and down, the young sportsman may stand 

 and shoot at them as they go by. These will 

 be cross-shots — or side shots, as I call them, be- 

 cause the side of the bird is presented to the gun. 

 One bird must always be selected for the shot, 

 when there is a flock, or several birds are fly- 

 ing near together ; and as the course of the bird 

 is across the line of fire, allowance must be made 

 for that fact. The aim must be a little ahead 

 of the flying bird. At short distances and at 

 slow-flying birds a little is enough, but there 

 should bo some allowance made. For these birds 

 at short distances No. 10 shot will be large 



