10 
HIGH PHEASANTS 
patterns and penetration trials, selected circles were taken. 
Though I do not approve of selected patterns as tests for a gun, 
they had to be used in the case of overhead targets, as these 
were not, at times, quite stationary. For uniformity, I acted 
in the same way in regard to horizontal shooting. 
Series II 
Average patterns on selected squares lo in. by lo in., taken from targets of 
7 ft. by 7 ft., under the same conditions of gun, load, and number of shots 
as Series I. 
Yards. Horizontal. Perpendicular. 
30 6o 52 
40 33 27 
50 '. , . 20 16 
60 14 II 
70 8 7 
80 5 4 
When viewing the above patterns on the targets (Series II.), 
and regarding each of them as the bull's-eye or thickest cluster of 
the shot-pattern, it would seem as if at 40 yds. a perpendicular 
pheasant could not escape being killed. But this bull's-eye, or 
most closely pelleted part of the shot-charge — a selected one 
off a 7 ft. by 7 ft. surface, be it remembered — which we should 
like to place on our bird, is often on one side or other inside 
the pattern made by the gun, however excellent the gun or 
correct the aim of the shooter. 
^ There are, besides, other matters to consider. In the first 
place, if the lo-in. squares were passing overhead like fast- 
flying high birds, from a fifth to a quarter fewer pellets would 
show on them, for reasons I shall presently give (p. 60). Then 
we have the pellets left that might kill at 40 yds. if they 
