34- 02{3\ClTH0L0gr. Book I, 



Chap. V. 

 Of the Fowling-fiece, and Stdhingforfe. 



THe beft Fowling-pieces are the long-barrelled [ of five and a half or fix foot 1 

 of an indifferent bore [ fomewhat under Harquebufe] for they hold the beft 

 charges, and carry the furtheft level 3 and fuch as have Fire-locks. 



The charge muft be round hail-fhot, of bignefs according to the Game you (hoot 

 at. I 



As near as you can fhoot with the wind, and fideways of, or behind the Fowl; 

 And if poffibleuyer theihelterof fbme hedge, bank, or tree, &c. fometiraes (if 

 need be) creeping on your hands and knees. Chufe rather to (hoot at a rank or 

 file than a fingle fowl 5 and then fend your Dog for what you have ftrucken. You 

 muft have your Dog in fuch true obedience as not to ftir from your heels till you bid 

 him go. 



Where you have no fhelter ufe a Stalking-hdrfe, which is any old Jade trained up 

 for that purpofe 3 which being ftript naked, and having nothing but a ftring about 

 the nether Chap, of two or three yards long, will gently, and as you have occa- 

 fion to urge him, walk on the banks of Brooks and Rivers, or Meadows and Moors, 

 or up and down in the water, which way you pleafe, flodding, and eating on the 

 grafs and weeds that grow therein 5 and fo hardy as not to take any aifright at the 

 report of your Piece. You fhall fhelter your felfand your Piece behind his fore- 

 fhoulder, bending your body down low by his fide, and keeping his body ftill full 

 between you and the Fowl. Then having chofenyour mark, take your level from 

 before the forepart of the Horfe, (hooting as it were between the horfes neck and 

 the water, which is morefafe than taking the level under the horfes belly, and much 

 lefs to be perceived 5 the (houlder of the horfe covering the body of the man, and 

 his legs alfo the mans legs. Whiles you are (talking you may leave your Dog with 

 your Bags, &c. where he may lie clofe, and never ftir till you have fhor, and then 

 upon the leaft call ( but not before ) come to you, and fetch forth what you have 

 killed. 



For want of a live-horfe you may make an artificial ftalking-horfe of Canvas, ei- 

 ther ftuft, or hollow, and ftretcht upon fplints of wood or ftrong Wires, with his 

 head bending down, as if he grazed, of due fhape, ftature, and bignefs, painted of 

 the colour of a horfe [_ the darker the lefs apt to be difcovered. ] Let it befixt 

 in the middle to a ftaff with a pick of Iron, to ftick it in the ground while you 

 fhoot. 



Inftead of a horfe you may make and ufe the fhape of an Oxe, Stag, or any other 

 horned beaft, painted of the ufual colour of beafts in that Country, and having the 

 natural horn or head. 



-NTThefe Engines are to be employed in thofe places where the birds are ufed to fee, 

 and be acquainted with the beafts they reprefent. 



N. 2. Thefe Engines are fitter for Water than Land, the water hiding their im- 

 perfections. 



When yon havefo much beaten the fowl with the Stalking horfe that they begin to 

 find your deceit, and will not fit: Then you may otherwhiles ufe your Oxe-engine, 

 till the Horfe be forgotten, and fo by change of your Engines make your fportlaft. 

 The fhape of a Stag may be ufeful in fuch places where Stags commonly feed, and are 

 familiar with the Fowl, but they arefubjecl to quicker difcovery. 



Some ftalk with dead Engines, as an artificial Tree, Shrub, or Bufh, or a dead 

 Hedge. But thefe are not fo ufeful for the ftalk as theftand: It being unnatural for 

 dead things to move, and the Fowl will not only apprehend, but efchew it. There- 

 fore if you ufe them, you muft either not move them at all, or fo flowly as that their 

 motion mail not be perceived. 



SECTION 



