SNJFE SHOOTING. 23 



high tide, which lay between the River Clyde and the railway that 

 runs between Bowline and Dumbarton Castle. It was not more 

 than about 500 yards wide, if as much, and extended — I speak 

 from memory — about three-quarters of a mile. Trains and river 

 steamers were constantly passing and re-passing, and yet Snipe 

 during August and September used to frequent this spot in con- 

 siderable numbers, and many was the day's sport I had there. 



In Snipe shooting many men affect an indifference as to how 

 they work their ground, and this indifference affects their success 

 in a very marked degree. If you walk iip-wmd yo\i give the Snipe 

 an advantage. At first sight this may appear an absurdity, for 

 most birds take advantage of the wind and fly with it, or dowit wind. 

 There are two birds, however, that do not do this — blackgame and 

 Snipe. They always rise against the wind. Let the sports- 

 man bear in mind that if he wants to get the better of Snipe — and 

 what is woodcraft but approaching your game under the most 

 favourable circumstances to yourself ? — he must approach the 

 bird's haunt down wind. Then, when the bird rises he will try to 

 face the wind and give a crossing shot, which will naturally expose 

 more of his body than if he went straight away. Besides, the 

 bird has then little chance of indulging in those corkscrew twists 

 which make so many otherwise good shots miss him. As to the 

 moment when a Snipe going straight away should be fired at, 

 opinions differ. Some hold that you should fire directly he rises, 

 others that you should wait till he has ended his rapid twists. 

 On this point I will offer no advice, but merely observe that, by 

 adopting the latter plan, you may four times out of five wait too 

 long, and allow your bird to get out of range before the trigger be 

 touched. 



