ioo The Dog Book 



following from the description of pheasant-shooting is noticeable for several 

 things : that while his selections of setters for grouse and pointers for part- 

 ridges were apparently the proper and accustomed things to do, there is a 

 question of choice in pheasant-shooting and his is the pointer, and he 

 takes but a single dog into the woods for this sport: 



"Oft undecided is the choice of dogs 

 To push the pheasant from his close retreat. 

 The questing spaniel some prefer, and some 

 The steady pointer; while the use of both 

 Is tried by others. In the earliest days 

 Of the glad season to the woods they lead 

 Their noisy spaniels, whose wide ranging feet 

 And echoing voices rouse the startled birds, 

 E'en in their deepest holds. But when the game 

 More shy and cautious grows, they use alone 

 The well-bred pointer. But none other dog 

 Shall e'er attend my steps, or late 

 Or early in the season." 



"One old and trusty pointer at my side attends." 



The use of the single pointer is obvious, as the dog did not point, but 

 put up the birds, like spaniels, and by having but one dog the shooter could 

 be in better control of the rising birds. We will now go woodcock-shooting, 

 to which the sportsman has been looking forward anxiously in expectation of 



the flight: 



"Impatient of restraint, he brpoks no more 

 The long delay, but to the echoing wood 

 His loud-tongu'd spaniels takes, and toils, and tries 

 Each ferny thicket and each miry swamp." 



But success is not yet, the flight is not on, so he tips a rustic to give hjm 

 early notice of the arrival of the birds. The good word arrives at evening: 



"Now let us with due care examine well 

 The trusty gun; the polish 'd lock explore 

 Through all its parts, and with the fine-edged flint 

 Fit well the bounding cock, till the bright sparks 

 Descending fill the pan; precaution due. 

 Next to the kennel haste, to view 

 The spotted spaniels lap their sav'ry meal. 

 Thence to the couch invoking sleep 

 Oblivious." 



