GENERAL AND OVER DOGS 153 



When, however, the wind is strong, 

 this method would lead to birds turn- 

 ing back over the guns and being lost for 

 the day, especially if working on the 

 boundary. It may then be advisable to 

 commence operations at the up-wind end 

 of the allotted ground and work down 

 wind, still moving zigzag. 



Later in the season it is often necessary 

 to work directly down wind, as birds will 

 then lie when they would not otherwise, 

 also, being obliged to rise into the wind, 

 they offer a better mark for the gun if 

 they get up wild ; this naturally calls for 

 particularly good work on the part of the 

 dogs to make it successful. 



No sport demands such careful observa- 

 tion of the wind on the part of the 

 shooter ; if he has not the direction of the 

 wind continually in mind, he will find 

 himself at a loss to know where the birds 

 are when the dog points. An experienced 

 hand may often secure an old cock by 

 walking wide of a point. In this sport 

 silence is indeed golden : conversation 



