Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1893 edition. Excerpt: ... CHAPTER IX. PIGEONS AND TRAPS--BOUNDARIES--RULES-- MODIFICATIONS--RECORD MATCHES--HINTS ON LIVE BIRD SHOOTING--INANIMATE TARGETS-- RULES--BEST SCORES--HOW EXPERTS SHOOT --GUN TRIALS--LONG SHOTS--GROUSE DRIVING, BY SIR F. A. MILBANK. TRAP SHOOTING. PIGEON shooting, against the practice of which many sportsmen protest, unlike British field sports, is of lowly origin, but for several generations it has been a popular pastime with many of the best known sportsmen of this country and is practised fairly and legitimately in all parts of the world. At all respectable clubs there is no cruel treatment of the birds and fair play is accorded to every shooter. Pigeon shooting has long been a holiday pastime with the frequenters of low public-houses, and has been and still is used as a means by sharpers to fleece the unwary young sportsman. It is wise to shoot pigeons at recognised clubs only, whether in England or elsewhere; and before accepting an invitation to shoot a friendly match, to make sure of the character of the person who invites the contest, or experience at the trap may be very dearly bought. Pigeon shooting as a sport may be said to date from about the middle of this century, although there were occasional matches and contests earlier. The first handicap is said to have been shot upon Mr. Purdey's grounds at Willesden in 1856, but previous to this there had been fashionable contests at the " Old Hats " public-house, on the Uxbridge Road at Ealing, near London. The " Old Hats" obtained its name from the fact that the pigeons used for the matches were placed in holes in the ground, and were covered with old hats. The "Red House " at Battersea was afterwards the favourite metropolitan resort for wager shooting. The first bond-fide pigeon...