12 IMPLEMENTS FOE COLLECTING, AND THEIE USE. 



and corduroy are excellent materials. Subdued color, to render 

 you as inconspicuous as possible, and to show dirt the least. 

 Multiplicity of pockets — a perfect shooting-coat is an inge- 

 nious system of hanging pouches about the person. Broad 

 soled,, low heeled boots or shoes, giving a firm tread even when 

 wet. Close-fitting cap with prominent visor, or low soft felt 

 hat, rather broad brimmed. Let india-rubber goods alone ; 

 the field is no place for a sweat-bath. 



§6. Qualifications for success. "With the outfit just 

 indicated you command all the required appliances that you 

 can 6m2/) and the rest lies with yourself. Success hangs upon 

 your own exertions ; upon your energy, industry and persever- 

 ance ; your knowledge and skill ; your zeal and enthusiasm, 

 in collecting birds, much as in other affairs of life. But 

 that your efforts — maiden attempts they must once have been 

 if they be not such now — may be directed to best advantage, 

 further instructions may not be unacceptable. 



§7. To CARRY A GUN without peril to human life or limb is 

 the a & c of its use. "There's death in the pot." Such con- 

 stant care is required to avoid accidents that no man can give 

 it by continual voluntary efforts ; safe carriage of the gun 

 must become an unconscious habit, fixed as the movements of 

 an automaton. The golden rule and whole secret is : the muz- 

 zle must never sweep the horizon; accidental discharge should 

 send the shot into the ground before your feet, or away up in 

 the air. There are several safe and easy ways of holdiijg a 

 piece : they will be employed by turns to relieve particular 

 muscles when fatigued. 1. Hold it in the hollow of the ^arm 

 (preferably the left, as you can recover to aim in less time than 

 from the right), across the front of your person, the hand on 

 the grip, the muzzle elevated about 45°. 2. Hang it by the 

 trigger-guard hitched over the forearm brought round to the 

 breast, the stock passing behind the upper arm, the muzzle 

 pointing to the ground a pace or so in front of j'ou. 3. Shoulder 

 it, the hand on the grip or heel plate, the muzzle pointing upward 



