SHOOTING 109 



number of empty cartridge cases, how easy they are 

 to miss. The secret of success lies in holding well 

 forward, and swinging the gun ahead as the trigger is 

 pulled. This is especially the case when rabbits are 

 crossing a narrow ride, when it becomes necessary to 

 shoot not ' where they are,' but ' where they will be ' 

 by the time the charge is delivered. 



And here we may remark on the advantage of 

 light loads in a long day's shooting. It is frequently 

 forgotten that the majority of shots in covert-shooting 

 are made at a distance under thirty yards, and a full 

 charge of three drachms of black powder, or the equiva- 

 lent in nitro-compounds, with i|- oz. or \\ oz. of shot, 

 is not only unnecessary but una'dvisable. With 2| 

 drachms and i oz. of shot the gunner will not only kill 

 his game well, but will do so with greater comfort to 

 himself; for under these conditions there will be less 

 recoil, no sore shoulder, and no headache to complain 

 of at the end of the day, while the rabbits will not 

 present the unsightly appearance which they do when 

 ' plastered ' at short ranges with a heavier charge. 



In some of the more remote country districts 

 beagles are extensively used for rabbit-shooting, and 

 more especially is this the case in the southern 

 counties. Where rabbits are numerous, the coverts 

 small, or where hares are plentiful, beagles are not a 



