UPLAND SHOOTING. 181 



light. He must be prepared to back his fellow, oftcner at 

 the word " Toho!" tlian at sight of his point; for so difficult is 

 the covert in which his duty is done, that 1 have more than 

 once seen three several dogs standing within a square of six 

 yards, on (me bird, not one of which suspected his comrade's 

 jiresence. Again, he must be broke to drop where he is when 

 tlie shot is discliarged, instantaneously, and to lie there until 

 conimauded to " Seek dead ;" when he must draw up to the 

 killed hird, point it, and at the word " Fetch," perform the 

 duty of a retriever. 



Tliis it is, which makes a really fine, and thoroughly broke, 

 AVoodcoclc dog so nearly invaluable. 



Shooting as we do in this country in thickets overrun 

 with vines, creepers, and cat-briars, to which the densest cop- 

 ]iice or covert I ever have seen in England, was open-work, 

 and that too, when every tree, plant and shrub is covered 

 Avith its most luxuriant summer foliage, it is evident that a 

 dog cannot be visible half the time at a distance of ten paces ; 

 and that it is only by his keeping in constant motion to and fro, 

 close before us, that we can in the least make out his where- 

 about. As it is, with the best broke dogs, it is a common thing 

 to lose them altogether, though perhaps but fifteen yards off, 

 when pointing steadily, and to be compelled either to call them 

 off", or to waste half tlie day in looking for them. 



Another great difficulty in summer Cock-shooting, over 

 Setters, is this, tliat when the bird is pointed, as he almost 

 universally is, from the outside of a brake inward, it is almost 

 impossible to get a fair shot at him, unless you do so unsports- 

 manlike a thing as to hie your dog on, and make him flush his 

 own bird. This cannot be done with impunity for any length 

 of time, even with the best and steadiest dogs ; for when once 

 they have become used to this irregular mode of proceeding, 

 although they may stand stock still, and shew as staunchly as., 

 possible, under their master's eye, until desired to "hie on!" 

 no sooner will they find themselves pointing out of sight, than 

 they will follow what is surely the bent of their natural instinct 



