4 
HIGH PHEASANTS : 
breeze to raise the larger kite and its heavy target of some 
12 lb. weight, it was sure to be a flat calm, not a leaf 
stirring. 
If a light breeze was wanted for the smaller kite that hoisted 
the penetration pads, then it blew a gale that uprooted trees. 
Our surroundings were also at times a source of anxiety, 
especially if the wind shifted. There was an isolated clump 
of high trees which appeared a long way off when we sent 
the kite up. But the kite invariably made swoops in their 
direction, and twice, do what we would, it dropped the target 
gently into their topmost branches, which meant the best 
part of an afternoon wasted with men, ladders and axes to 
retrieve it. 
As I had only certain days of leisure on which to carry out 
the experiments, it will be realised that they occupied some 
months before completion. However, the target was at length 
harnessed by means of cords to its corners, and weights and lines, 
so that it could be suspended as a level and stationary mark up 
to 100 yds. or more. With a small pulley lashed to the string 
of the kite, some score yards from the latter, and a long cord 
through it, the target could be quickly lowered or raised as 
wished, and down-haul lines held it steady when near the 
ground. 
In order to regulate the height of the target, a cord was fixed 
to its centre that had small bunches of feathers lashed to it at 
intervals of lo yds., the first bunch being 30 yds. from the 
target and the last one 140 yds. When patterns were being 
made, or penetration taken, an assistant held the particular 
bunch of feathers in his hands which determined the height 
required. He held the feathers level with his shoulder, and at 
the same time pulled the measuring cord tight, so that, standing 
