95 



You can hardly begin too early to teach your 

 dog. He should, first, after learning his name, 

 be taught to drop, whether by your side or at 

 a distance, instantly, at the word or signal of 

 hand, and to lie quietly until permitted to rise 

 again. Do not allow him to rush out on the re- 

 port of the gun to recover game, but make him 

 wait until ordered to do so. Observe Markham's 

 advice on the subject, a thorough sportsman and 

 writer, whose book, " Hunger's Prevention," was 

 published in the year 1655 : " But by all meanes 

 you nmst have your Dogge in such true obedi- 

 ence, that hee may not stirre from your heeles or 

 let so much as his shaddow be perceived, till 

 you have shot and yourselfe bid him goe, for to 

 rush forth too suddenly or upon the first fire or 

 clap of the Snaphaunce, though the piece goe not 

 off (as many mad-headed currs will doe), is many 

 times the loss of much good sjDort ; which to 

 avoyd suffer not your Dogge to stirre till you 

 bid him." 



It is frequently unnecessary to gather your 

 dead birds as soon as killed, especially in still, 

 shallow water, when it is better to allow them to 

 remain until the shooting slackens or is nearly 

 over, as the continual going and coming of the 



