12 EEMINISCEXCES OF A SPORTSMAN". 



field, but quarter it with them, and regulate their move- 

 ments by the arm, and avoid as much as possible 

 calling or whistling to them ; for if birds have been much 

 shot at, they often rise out of shot when they hear any 

 unusual noise, and frequently in walking over the field, 

 you start a hare or rise a bird within shot. When a dog 

 makes a point, the other or others should immediately 

 back him by holding up the hand; this is supposing 

 that the dog or dogs do not see that which has the point. 

 As soon as you have fired the dogs should come in as 

 soon as you call out, " down charge." 



If birds are scarce in a country, and you find a strong 

 covey, persevere in following them up, and if you can 

 manage to disperse the covey, you may calculate on get- 

 ting some good shooting. Never fail to give your dogs the 

 wind as much as possible. In September, the seed clover, 

 potatoes, and cole seed, afford excellent cover for birds, 

 and on a hot day they usually lie as close as stones ; if 

 you mark down a large covey of birds in one of these 

 fields, and you have a brace or leash of pointers, I re- 

 commend your putting in couples all but yom* best and 

 steadiest dog*, commence operations, and if you and 

 your friend are good shots, foiu: or five brace of birds will 

 soon be in the game-bag. Farmers are sometimes so 

 good natured as to let you follow a covey of birds into 



* HaK a centxiry ago, the present Sir C. K., Bart., came to shoot with me 

 in Norfolk ; I had a liver-coloiu'ed pointer named Phito, who had an excel- 

 lent nose, and as steady as time. When we marked a covey in clover, 

 potatoes, &c., Pluto alone accompanied us, and as we were both good 

 shots, we frequently made sad havock amongst the poor partridges. Sir 

 C. K. so highly appreciated the good qualities of -Pluto, and was so 

 anxious to have him, that before leaving he gave me fifty pounds for the 



