MORNING MALLARD SHOOTING FALL. 129 



cal of which it is my intention to explain as 

 clearly as possible. 



For convenience' sake, and to ensure a more 

 thorough description of details, I shall, in the 

 remainder of this chapter and that immediately 

 following, adopt the conversational style, address- 

 ing my remarks to a supposed novice, who is 

 about to take his first lessons in duck-shooting, 

 the present time being the evening preceding the 

 sport; place, hotel near the shooting-grounds. 



We must start early in the morning ; so get 

 your gun and ammunition ready, and don't be 

 sparing of the latter, for it is much better to 

 have to bring some back than to leave good 

 shooting for want of it. Sometimes, when least 

 expected, a person will find all the ducks he can 

 reasonably wish for. Chicago sixes or St. Louis 

 fives are about the shot you need, as at this 

 season the ducks are not very full feathered, and 

 the mallard is not over-tenacious. 



Load your shells with four drachms of powder. 

 " Bather a large charge of powder," you say. 

 You perhaps have been used to shooting quail 

 or woodcock, where smaller charges are sufficient, 

 the shooting always being close. 



An ounce of shot is enough ; there is no need of 



