9AS GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



to mark the place if possible, and then look round 

 at his master as if for permission to * go and fetch 

 it.' This, however, was not always granted, for 

 if the spot where it had dropped lay more directly 

 in the line of one of the other keepers on either 

 flank, his dog alone would be despatched in pur- 

 suit, and thus the common occurrence of a 

 pheasant being mangled by the joint efforts of 

 two rival retrievers was avoided, and the utmost 

 expedition at the same time attained in bringing 

 the bird to bag. Many a winged pheasant and 

 wounded hare was recovered on that day, which if 

 matters had been conducted upon the ordinary 

 system, must have been infallibly lost. The ex- 

 ample indeed is well worthy the imitation of all 

 preservers, and may be strongly recommended to 

 the admirers of the battue, not only for its ob- 

 vious and easily appreciated effect upon the game- 

 bag, but on the higher principle of mercy and 

 humanity, as affording a means of rescuing many 

 suffering animals from the tortures of a lingering 

 death. 



