BREAKING AND HANDLING. 191 



novice invariably declares that the dog has no nose, for he 

 cannot conceive how a dog can trot directly over a bird 

 without scenting it. The breeze undoubtedly carries the 

 scent with it and dissipates it over larger and larger spaces, 

 much the same as smoke is wafted from a chimney-top by a 

 gentle wind, although as a matter of course the scent is 

 much more volatile; hence it is apparent that a dog, stand- 

 ing over a dead bird, could not scent it so well as when he 

 was several yards down wind, and this from perfectly nat- 

 ural causes. 



Flushes due to inexperience are also excusable, and there- 

 fore the puppy should not be punished for them. He may 

 be held in check for awhile, and both voice and manner 

 may show disapproval; and thus he is taught that it is a 

 faulty act. So keenly can the dog's love of approbation be 

 developed that he will exercise the greatest care to point so 

 as to hold his birds; if a flush unfortunately happens, he 

 will show by his crestfallen demeanor that he feels mortified 

 at the failure. Some dogs show the same feelings when 

 laughed at dogs having such sensitive natures deserve to 

 be treated with great consideration, and their sensibilities 

 ought not to be abused. 



The novice is also predisposed to blame the dog for 

 flushes which he in no wise committed. A command 

 given to a dog when near the birds may cause a flush, and 

 the proximity of the dog is considered sufficient evidence 

 to blame him. At certain seasons of the year when birds 

 are wild, the sound of the human voice is sufficient to flush 

 them instantly. Chickens on the prairie after the frosty 

 nights of September, or after the high winds of autumn set 

 in, are extremely wild. Quails, after a frosty night or a 

 cold rain or wind, are very difficult for a dog to point, and 

 it is rendered almost impossible if the handler gives loud 

 orders, or a loquacious companion is present. This is par- 



