IN SHOOTING. 139 



ing, has been pencilled down in the field, with a 

 query as to its future confirmation; and if it has 

 stood repeated tests, entered in MS. for this work. 



If birds are so very wild that all fair and quiet 

 shooting fails, they are still, ninety-nine times in a 

 hundred, to be got, if absolutely wanted, to win a 

 wager; fora sick person; or any very particular purpose. 

 But the process for this is any thing but steady sport- 

 ing, and can only be well followed in an open country. 

 It is simply to establish a picket of mounted markers, 

 with directions to give a signal when the birds drop ; 

 on receiving which you must gallop to the one who 

 has watched the birds down, arid instantly gallop with 

 him to within about eighty yards of the spot. Then 

 spring from your horse, and walk briskly to the birds, 

 without a dog, taking care to advance, if possible, in 

 a direction that may drive them to the best of your 

 other markers. Many a brace of birds have I seen 

 bagged this way, before an old dog could canter up 

 fast enough, even to be in at the death, much less to 

 run the risk of spoiling your shot for want of scent. 



In calm weather, after September, never go bellow- 

 ing out " P o n t o" " T o h o" &c. (like 

 a boy hooting at birds on corn). Your keeper will 

 do this, at another time, if the dog requires it, and 

 be pleased with his own noise. But rather take your 

 chance of the second dog's seeing the point in time ; 

 or you may probably do much more harm than the 

 very dog that you are rating. If, however, the dog 

 is going down wind, the case alters ; but even then I 



