62 FIELD-NOTES FOR THE YEAR. CH. XXIV. 



independently of the time lost in loading (during 

 which operation, by the by, the birds always con- 

 trive to come over your head) you are sure to lose 

 many which fly away wounded, to drop several 

 hundred yards off, serving only to feed the foxes 

 and crows, which always seem to be on the look- 

 out for food near lakes and marshes. 



Some retrievers have a most wonderful instinct 

 in discovering whether a wounded bird is likely to 

 fall ; invariably marking down and finding them, 

 without wasting their time and strength in vain 

 pursuit of those which are able to escape. 



Nothing is more trying to the constitution of a 

 dog than this kind of shooting in the winter, when 

 the poor animal spends his time either in paddling 

 or swimming about in half-frozen water, or in 

 shivering at his master's feet whilst waiting for a 

 fresh shot. The master perhaps has waterproof 

 boots and a warm jacket on, a pipe in his mouth, 

 and a mouthful of brandy to keep him warm; while 

 his poor dog has none of these accompanying com- 

 forts, and is made to sit motionless on the wet or 

 frozen ground with the water freezing on his coat. 

 For my own part I administer as much as I can to 

 the comfort of my canine companion, by always 

 carrying him some biscuits, and by giving him either 

 my plaid or a game-bag to lie upon. It is amusing 



