82 ON THE WING. 



whether they were made the night previous, or are old 

 borings. If the hunter find any borings, he may 

 expect to discover game near by, if not in the swamp 

 itself, then on the side of the hill, or under a copse of 

 maples or other cover that is contiguous. Look care- 

 fully for the spots and borings, and do not give up too 

 soon because you do not find them ; they may be there 

 nevertheless. Let your dog work first on the outer 

 edge of the swamp, among the alders and bushes, 

 carefully keeping yourself in readiness about ten or 

 fifteen yards behind him ; for this is one of the very 

 best places to find the cock at any season of the year. 

 Work the dog with a bell, — a small one purchased 

 for the purpose, — as otherwise he may soon be out 

 of sight and hearing, and may possibly be on the point. 

 When the bell cannot be heard, work up toward the 

 dog, for the cock is sure to be not far from his nose. 



You will soon learn to understand the movements 

 of the dog by the sound of the bell, and be able to tell, 

 even when he is out of sight, whether he is making 

 game or not, that is, whether or not he is on the track 

 of the bird ; for the setter or pointer works up the 

 track of a bird just as a hound does that of a rabbit. 

 If the bird moves along, and makes a fresh track (as 

 he will be likely to do when the dog is not too near 

 him), the track will give off a strong scent, which ex- 

 cites the dog, and makes the starting and stopping 

 sound to the bell. The sportsman, when he hears this 

 sound, knows that his game is near. As the dog nears 

 the bird, he will, if well trained, work slowly, and creep 

 up until within a few feet of him. The bird, when it 



