. The American sportsman: . CHAPTER V. ART OF SHOOTING ON THE WING All the spoits of the field are delightful, 1 own, But none can with shooting compare ;Tis a joy that entices the king from his throne, Tis a joy that the wisest may voice of the hound on the breeze of the morn. The note of the bugle, may please ;The song of the wild bird is sweet from the thorn, But the gun has more music than these. ^ -7-^ ever OST persons unconversant with the use ofthe gun are naturally led to believe thatthere is some great mystery or someextraordinary sleight-of-hand work con-nected with the art
. The American sportsman: . CHAPTER V. ART OF SHOOTING ON THE WING All the spoits of the field are delightful, 1 own, But none can with shooting compare ;Tis a joy that entices the king from his throne, Tis a joy that the wisest may voice of the hound on the breeze of the morn. The note of the bugle, may please ;The song of the wild bird is sweet from the thorn, But the gun has more music than these. ^ -7-^ ever OST persons unconversant with the use ofthe gun are naturally led to believe thatthere is some great mystery or someextraordinary sleight-of-hand work con-nected with the art of shooting birdswhen on the wing. This opinion is oftenso firmly engrafted on the minds of cer-tain sensitive individuals that they are unwilling even to make a trial of their own dexterity in 47. 48 lewiss AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. this way, feeling satisfied that they could never arrive at anyidegree of perfection in an art so difficult to acquire. Or, if thejshould be tempted to venture in the field with some one of theiiassociates more experienced in the use of the gun, expecting adays enjoyment, they become so discouraged at their want ofsuccess, as well as perplexed at the inability of their sportingcompanion to give them any definite or systematic instruction forshooting, that they not unfrequently withdraw from the fieldcompletely mortified and disgusted with every thing appertainingto the sport; when, by a little perseverance and a few well-timedhints from their companion, they might soon have arrived at thatpinnacle of fame to which all sportsmen aspire; we mean—a goodshot! VVe ourselves do not pretend to be a great shot, but, on thecontrary, are very modest in our claims upon this point; butbecause we cannot kill every bird we fire at, that is no reason whywe may not ins
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