DRIVING 287 



5. There must be a keeper in the 

 centre of the beaters, who can easily 

 control their movements by a distinctive 

 flag ; the beaters must understand his 

 signals, so that he can bring on or hold 

 back any portion of the line at will. If 

 a working system of signals cannot be 

 arrived at, the keeper in charge must 

 be allowed to use his voice. This pre- 

 rogative he should exercise as rarely as 

 possible, for shouting or unnecessary 

 noise during the progress of a drive 

 is well calculated to spoil the whole 

 manoeuvre. 



6. Some one, preferably the host, should 

 always be with the guns, and show each 

 one exactly where he has to take his 

 stand; otherwise there is sure to be 

 confusion. 



7. The question of how to pick up 

 the birds after the drive and who is to 

 do it, must be settled beforehand. The 

 beaters must not be relied on for this 

 work, for, though it may be sometimes 

 advisable to allow them to pick up for 



