Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-09-20

Ncrving myself for the denouement pushed
in ahead to flush the partridge. walking over
all the ground pointed out but failing to put
up the bird. Had i not been sure of the dogs
should have thought IL was rabbit or squir-
rel. Under the circumstances it completely
mystihed me. / looked over at my compan-
ions. They stood the same as before. spoke
to them. but they obstinately held their
point, and in way that suggested that they
knew their business and thought it was Just
little queer / didn't know mine. began to
think didn't, sure enough, when my eyes
were attracted by a small, round, spotted OBJ
ject just at my feet BY the great horn
spoons! it was . turtle. The mystery was
solved.
DISCOUNTED CANNES
As picked up the cause Of my disappoint-
ment the dogs broke their point and came in.
First they smelt of Mr.. Turtle and then shifted
the ground where he had covered. Twas
with some difficulty that / recognized them as
the same dogs which had only q moment be-
fore presented picture that caused nv nerves
to Jingle and heart to multiply its beats. I
simply looked first at them and then at the
turtle. which was all that was needful to COM
p.ete their discontinue. The great law of ma
ture, gravitation, did the rest, and their heads
and tails swept the ground. Nearly any dog
will fool himself and master on turtle. When
quail shooting south l have seen half Q dozen
dogs standing with as MANY men drawn MP in
shooting array back Of them with nothing but
o turtle ahead.
Before reaching home put up another
brood but only got two OF them owing to the
thick cover, thus making eight birds in ala
bag that one need not be ashamed OF, a.
partridge shooting is the most difficult Of all
wing shooting. and the man that can count
three or four dead birds out Of every ten shots
shooting at every bird that gets up) may con-
slider himself a regular Dick Deadeye. He
may put up his woodcock. quail or snipe with
the certainty that il the bird gives him q fair
chance it is as good as dead since about seven
out Of every ten viii, drop to the report Of his
gun.
ONE RULE
that should be closely adhered to in this sport
Is to always shoot IT makes no difference If
you see feather or not. throw your shot Just
IN front Of the leaves the birds fight disturbed
fou may not kill him; the chances are about
nine out OF ten against you. The advisabilitv
OF this habit. though. is proved when a bird
shows himself for a few feet only. There ID
not then moments hesitation as to will or
will l not shoot. But the bird is instantly
covered. and after some practice often killed
although the chance seems a slim one.
GUN AND STELLA.
In regard TO gun and shells the best result in
partridge shooting can be obtained with q
seven-pound breech-loader having 2s-inch bar
rels, the right-hand barrel cylinder bore and
left medium heavy choke. Shells for the right
hand barrel Tor for the barrel that is first fred
should be loaded with three and half drachnss
of smokeless powder, primeJ with black. AMI
one ounce No. 10 shot. Three wais should be
Put over the powder and one on top Of 81 i.
Shells for the other barrel should have tire
drachms Of best black powder and one ounce
OF No. shot. For later shooting when the
birds are wilder, tougher and better protected
with feathers. use No. and No. shot
THE DOGS.
In the choice Of dogs for partridge shooting
select setter. His long thick hair will prove
invaluable AZ a protection against the briars
Whereas pointer will get foot sore after q
days hunt and will also refuse to enter briar
patches that a setter will come out Of un.
scratched.
For pleasant days shoot mans dog should
be well under control, aud to insure this they
must be worked for ut least y week in advance
Of the shooting season. Otherwise they will
be headstrong and rank. and will flush, al
though. perhaps, Internationally, about "a
many birds as they stand.