132 A Book of the Sjtipe. 



object-lesson of *' how not to do it " at his 

 initiation into the mysteries of snipe-shoot- 

 ing. The scent of the bird is so strong and 

 peculiar that it takes most dogs some time 

 to get their bearings in the sport. Many 

 indeed, though they may attain a certain 

 standard of excellence, seem never to accom- 

 modate themselves altogether to the altered 

 ground, or to overcome what is undoubtedly 

 their astonishment at the effluvium emitted 

 by little Gallinago. 



I do not intend to enter even briefly into 

 the subject of breaking dogs for this par- 

 ticular sport further than to say that they 

 should never be "broken" to it at all, but 

 must be allowed to train themselves. The 

 very best performer will be a dog which has 

 been well trained to start with, and has 

 been shot over for three or four seasons 

 by good shots at grouse or partridges. If 

 you intend to do much snipe - shooting, it 

 will pay you much better to reserve such 

 a one entirely for the sport, in full vigour 

 and training as he is, than to attempt to 



