'Pteryplegia: Or, The Art of Shooting Flying" first penned, according to Col. H.P. Sheldon, in 1727, by Mr. Markland, A. B., writes...
"Five gen'ral sorts of Flying Marks there are;
The Lineals two, Traverse and Circular;
The fifth Oblique, which I may vainly teach;
But practice only perfectly can reach.
When a bird comes directly to your face,
Contain your fire a while, and let her pass,
Unless some trees behind you change the case.
If so, a little space above her head
Advance the muzzle, and you strike her dead.
Ever let shot pursue where there is room;
Marks, hard before, thus easy will become.
But, when the bird flies from you in a line,
With little care, I may pronounce her thine,
Observe the rule before, and neatly raise
Your piece, till there's no Open Under-space
Betwixt the object and the Silver Sight;
Then send away, and timely stop the flight."
...and is as timely today as it was when written.
