26 
larger, 16-gauge or 12-gauge, gun is useful on the seacoast, particularly 
for large water birds. Geese and swans may be killed effectively with 
the 20-gauge, but the score is not as high, and the missed shots are apt 
to be forgotten. 
An auxiliary barrel, commonly known as an “Aux.”, 5 to 8 inches 
long, and weighing only a few ounces, to shoot -32 calibre, extra long, 
centre-fire shell, or *410 calibre, paper shell, which may be reloaded 
with No. 10, 12, or “dust” shot, is a great convenience, and saver of 
ammunition weight. 1 The “Aux.” may be carried in the pocket and 
slipped into the chamber of the gun when needed, or it may be carried 
in one barrel and a full charge carried in the other barrel. The “Aux.” 
brass shells may be reloaded many times with smokeless powder using 
nitro primers. If ordinary black powder primers are used, a tiny pinch 
of black powder should be put in the bottom of the shell before putting 
in the nitro powder. The wads should be rammed down hard, and the 
shot wad may be kept in place by a drop or two of melted paraffin wax, 
or preferably, by a few drops of shellac on top of the wad. Even with 
the small-calibred “Aux.”, the collector will generally find it advisable 
to load shells with different charges for different animals at different 
ranges. As with all shotgun loads, it must be borne in mind that at very 
close range the whole charge will travel as a mass with the impact of a 
rifle bullet, and it is well to try out the different loads on targets at 
ranges of from 5 to 30 yards to observe the pattern and penetration and 
to judge its probable effect on the game. 
A good pair of prism binoculars are almost essential to a field natural- 
ist. Mammals and birds may be found at a distance, or identified after 
observation, and many miles of walking saved in open country. Eight- 
power magnification is about as high as is practicable in the field, and six- 
power is high enough for boat work or for use as night-glasses. Higher 
magnification cuts down both the light and the scope of the field, and 
twelve-power binoculars are difficult to hold steady. A great degree of 
steadiness may be obtained by sitting flat on the ground, with both elbows 
resting on the knees, and steadying the hands and binoculars by resting 
them on an upright stick or gun case. 
Methods of hunting depend almost altogether upon local conditions 
and the habits of the species wanted. The best times for shooting are 
early in the morning and late in the afternoon, at the favourite feeding 
places. Small mammals are generally carried to camp and skinned there 
but larger mammals may be measured and roughly skinned on the spot, 
leaving fine work on head and feet until later. If the weather is warm 
and camp cannot be reached for some time, the body may be cut open 
and viscera removed. Sometimes it is advisable to inject the body cavity 
and throat with a weak solution of formalin. 
TRAPPING 
Most species of small mammals, and some of the larger, must be 
taken in traps if obtained at all. Most of the fur-bearing mammals are 
naturally wary or have become shy from persistent trapping, and special 
measures must be taken to outwit them. Methods vary with the species 
and local trappers are generally familiar with the details. As professional 
trappers are usually not very communicative in regard to their “trade 
1 .410 gauge paper shells loaded with No. 12 shot may be obtained from Canadian Industries 
Limited by special order. 
