12 IMPLEMENTS FOR COLLECTING, AND THEIR 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 buy, 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 abcof 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 holding 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 you. 3. Shoulder 
it, the hand on the grip or heel plate, the muzzle pointing upward 

