PHEASANT SHOOTING, &C. 149 



expeditions, we rarely hear of any one getting much 

 game to his own share, except some sly old fellow, 

 who has shirked from his companions to the end of the 

 wood, where the pheasants, and particularly the cock 

 birds, on hearing the approach of a rabble, are all 

 running, like a retreating army, and perhaps flying 

 in his face faster than he can load and fire. 



For one alone to get shots in a thick underwood, 

 a brace or two of very well broke spaniels would, of 

 course, be the best. But were I obliged to stake a 

 considerable bet (taking one beat with another, where 

 game was plentiful), I should back, against the sports- 

 man using them, one who took out a very high 

 couraged old pointer, that would keep near him, and 

 would, on being told, break his point to dash in, and 

 put the pheasants to flight before they could run out 

 of shot. This office may be also performed by a 

 Newfoundland dog ; but, as first getting a point 

 would direct the shooter where to place himself for & 

 fair shot, the Newfoundland dog would always do 

 best kept close to his heels, and only made use of 

 to assist in this ; and particularly for bringing the 

 game; as we rarely see a pointer, however expert 

 in fetching his birds, that can follow and find the 

 wounded ones half so well as the real St. John's 

 Newfoundland dog. 



It will, of course, be recollected, that the pointer 

 kept for this purpose should never be taken with re- 

 gular broke dogs. He will, however, before the sea- 

 son for pheasant shooting, be as well tvorth his keep 



