160 THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 



aken to give them the opportunity of 

 warming and thoroughly drying them- 

 selves before a good fire, the expense at- 

 tendant upon which will prove a saving 

 in the long run. 



I adopted, both at Abbeville and 

 at Quimper, the plan of allotting for 

 each dog a very large round wicker- 

 basket employed for wild-fowl shoot- 

 ing, about three parts filled with clean 

 straw, or fine deal shavings, on which 

 was laid a large fold of strong drugget, 

 or coarse blanket. As my fire was 

 composed of logs, and consequently in 

 an open fire-place, a high common wire 

 fender was placed around it to pre- 

 vent the dogs approaching too nearly, or 

 lying in the ashes, of which they are very 

 fond. 



Where the animals are all of the male 

 sex, it will be found the better plan to 

 allow a separate wooden bowl or platter 



