xvn. GROUSE SHOOTING (PART //), 'OVER DOGS' 289 



into and flushed, and so scared by the noise accom- 

 panying the frequent correction necessary, that they 

 soon turn wild ; then, when your dogs are trained, the 

 birds will not lie to the gun, and the moor, as far as 

 its bay is concerned, is spoilt for the season. 



It is commonly said that pointers and setters 

 should always be worked against the wind, so as to 

 them the best chance possible of scenting their 

 game. This is all very well if the nature of the ground 

 you are working allows of such an arrangement ; but 

 it as often happens it does not do so as that it does ! 

 Now, though you are less likely to overwalk birds 

 when working your dogs against the wind, you can 

 nevertheless work them in any direction you like, so 

 long as you do not systematically walk straight down- 

 wind ; and, even when walking downwind, you will 

 now and then be surprised how closely birds lie, the 

 reason being that they are sometimes puzzled by the 

 presence of the dogs ln'ji<>inl them pointing upwind, 

 and the shooters approaching them downwind. 



A .side wind is always preferable to working with 

 the wind right ahead, as, by the direction in which 

 you approach the ' point,' you can then influence the 

 birds to fly at all events with the wind, either towards 

 r cover, or from the hills to the valleys, or to a 

 more central position ; in fact to any ground you 

 desire them to go to for subsequent sport. 



II U 



