240 BIRD-LIFE OF THE BORDERS 



afforded for skilled dog-work. There must, of course, be 

 no "ranging"," or showing-up in sight, on the part of 

 either dog or man. Both must learn to keep cover and 

 move unseen, holding the course of cleugh or ravine. The 

 same setters you used in August will, with a little patience 

 and attention to teaching, speedily take in the changed 

 situation and intuitively diagnose the new strategy. But 

 this, be it repeated, is skilled dog-work ; and the prettiest 

 spectacle possible it is to watch a setter that has learned 

 his business, systematically indicate the position of grouse 

 after grouse, all unseen, on the higher levels, and yet 

 never showing so much as the tip of his tail upon the 

 sky-line. 



It will frequently happen that, on reaching his dog 

 and cautiously surveying the ground above, the gunner 

 will see the grouse sitting, yet quite beyond range ; but he 

 may also see that a shot can be obtained from some other 

 point — possibly involving a considerable detour. It then 

 becomes necessary to "put down" the dog, and leave him 

 lying, while the sportsman proceeds alone to stalk his 

 game from that other point of vantage. This course is 

 usually preferable to requiring a dog to " break his point " 

 when the animal has not been able to understand the reason 

 therefor. With young dogs, or those whose absolute 

 steadiness cannot be relied upon, a keeper may be left in 

 charge. Personally, however, I prefer being alone in this, 

 or any operation that involves stalking. An attendant, 

 nevertheless, on occasion, enables one to utilise yet a 

 third means of outmanoeuvring those wild-flying grouse. 

 Assuming that they are not only out of shot from the 

 original point of view, but also that no other means 

 of access may be discoverable, the gunner can then go 

 round to the probable point at which their flight may 



