180 FRANK forester's FIELD SPORTS. 



pei-secuted in past seasons as to have been entirely deserted 

 by the breeders, here they must be found. In this country 

 Woodcock are shot altogether over Setters or Pointers — during 

 the whole sixteen years, which I have passed in the States, I 

 have known but two sportsmen who used the Cocking Spaniel, 

 though that is unquestionably the proper dog over which to 

 shoot the bird — ^and it is obvious that there are many objections 

 to be made to these, in their places, noble animals, as used for 

 covert-shooting. The proper sphere for both Pointer and Set- 

 ter is the open — the wide, waving, heathery moors, the grassy 

 Snipe-bog, the rich russet stubbles, from which the hai-vests 

 have been garnered to the farmer's heart-content. To range as 

 wide, as highly, and as dashingly as they can, is their proper 

 vocation, and their highest merit. To work fairly and in full 

 view of their master and of one another, giving plentiful note 

 of the vicinity of game by their actions to the eye, but none to 

 the ear, is the province for which nature destined them, as all 

 their qualities demonstrate. 



In order to suit them for wood-shooting at all, one of these 

 qualities has necessarily to be drilled out of them, by early and 

 incessant rating, watching and admonition — I mean their speed, 

 range and dash. 



The highest merit a thorough-bred and thoroughly-broke 

 Setter or Pointer can possess in Europe, on his proper ground, 

 and in jjursuit of his proper game, is never, unless he be at a 

 dead point, or down to charge, to be within five hundred yards 

 of his master, always beating his ground, head up and stem 

 down, at full gallop. Here in covert at least, where nine-tenths 

 of his work is done, his highest merit is never to be twenty 

 yards distant from him. 



He must unlearn his own nature, and acquire that of the 

 Spaniel ; in so far, at least, as to substitute unwearied industry, 

 short, continually-succeeding turns, arid the closest possible 

 quartering of the ground, for his natural rating gallop. His eye 

 must be constantly on his master, his ear ever alive to his 

 slightest whistle, which he must obey with the speed of 



