Dogs. 137 



lie a few seconds longer than he might have 

 done, and also, as previously explained, of 

 causing him to throw up towards you when 

 he does spring. As a matter of practice, 

 it is rarely possible to bring off this move- 

 ment to perfection. Indeed, if snipe are 

 plentiful, it is actually not advisable, as birds 

 might be flushed whilst you were on the way 

 round. Perhaps the best method is to move 

 off a few yards to one side of the line of 

 the dog and the spot you guess the snipe 

 to be lying (of course, as much towards the 

 windward side as possible), and then to edge 

 cautiously along a third side of the triangle, 

 as it were, passing the dog as he stands 

 immovable to leeward of you. Even if the 

 breeze is blowing direct from the invisible 

 bird to the dog's nose, as is not often the 

 case, it is better to act thus than to march 

 straight ahead of the point, as is commonly 

 done. Nothing but experience can teach 

 you how far in front of the point the bird 

 is likely to be lurking. It depends so much 

 upon the day, whether good or bad for scent, 



