IX SHOOTING. 145 



country. It is simply to establish a picket of mounted 

 markers, with directions to give a signal when the birds 

 drop ; on receiving which you must gallop to the one 

 who has watched the birds down, and instantly gallop 

 with him to within about eighty yards of the spot. 

 Then spring from your horse, and walk briskly to the 

 birds, without a dog, taking care to advance, if possible, 

 in a direction that may drive them to the best of your 

 other markers. Many a brace of birds have I seen 

 bagged this way, before an old dog could canter up 

 fast enough, even to be in at the death, much less to 

 run the risk of spoiling your shot for want of scent. 

 Another recipe, for wild birds, and for which we have 

 to thank a gentleman in Norfolk, where it is least 

 wanted, is to fly a paper kite, regularly painted like a 

 bird of prey, at about thirty yards above the ground, 

 and with a very long string, so as for the man who flies, 

 and walks on with it, to be at a distance ; while the 

 shooter and his dog approach behind the kite. I tried 

 this one day, and it answered ; otherwise I should not 

 have named it. 



In calm weather, after September, never go bellowing 

 out " P_ o_n t o", " T o h o," &c. (like a boy 

 hooting at birds on corn.) Your keeper will do this, at 

 another time, if the dog requires it, and be pleased with 

 his own noise. But rather take your chance of the 

 second dog's seeing the point in time; or you may 

 probably do much more harm than the very dog that 

 you are rating. If, however, the dog is going down 

 wind, the case alters ; but even then I should rather 

 try the expedient of a menacing attitude, seconded by a 

 clod of dirt, or a turnip, to using my voice on such an 

 occasion. (Of course I mean if I wanted birds, other- 



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