78 
HIGH PHEASANTS : 
no way check the swing of the gun or the movement of the 
left arm, and will give a rigidity to the barrels that retains 
them in a level position during the swing and the pulling of 
the trigger. 
Though most shooters grasp the barrels only lightly with 
the left hand, I believe this is a wrong principle as regards 
swinging them in a level and steady line in front of a bird 
flying overhead.! 
In the act of swinging a gun, the left hand and arm do 
everything, with the exception of a very slight bending back 
of the body from the hips, and the left hand is, therefore, the 
important factor to consider. 
If the left arm is held too rigid, and nearly all the swing 
is, as a result, given by bending back the body, the tendency 
to pull the aim to the left of the mark, if overhead, is much 
increased, and the shot -charge may easily go to the left of a 
bird as big as a goose. 
The left arm, though extended well along the barrel, should 
not be taut and stiff to the extent of making it as unyielding 
as a length of wood. The elbow must be a little bent if the 
arm is to be used as freely as the swing forward at an overhead 
bird requires. 
The right hand, as the right arm is, of course, bent and 
acting as a loose hinge, should have nothing to do with directing 
the gun ; it merely steadies it, and pulls the trigger. 
^ If your cartridges happen to be overloaded, hold the barrels very tightly with 
the left hand, and you will be surprised how much the undue recoil of the gun is 
reduced in regard to your shoulder. 
