io6 SHOOTING THE GROUSE 



possible forward. You will thus drive them mostly on 

 to some stretch of lower ground beyond, which will 

 give you probably your best sport towards evening. 

 As you work the ground in this way the birds will 

 obviously be always lying above, that is, up wind of 

 the dog, and the moment you see him point you 

 should walk in a slant towards the ground above him, 

 rather than straight to him as the novice would. If 

 you do the latter, and your friend the professor is on 

 your right, he will cross higher up, and probably, 

 while appearing to let you go straight for the point 

 and the best chance, walk right into the covey and 

 get a double shot, while you, though still level with 

 him, are yet a long way below the birds. Again, you 

 must watch the behaviour of the dog narrowly. Should 

 he stop very suddenly in full career, turning his head 

 slightly back, then run quickly a few yards, do the 

 same thing again, but appear unsteady and inclined 

 to hunt further, he is probably up wind of the birds ; 

 in which case walk pretty straight to where he first 

 pointed. If, again, he simply points very steadily, go 

 slowly up to him, a little up wind as before ; if he 

 draws rather rapidly and keenly ahead, get after him 

 slanting your course up wind of him as quickly as 

 you can. These will be wild birds, probably old 

 ones, whom it is most desirable to destroy, and they 



