SPORTING SKETCHES. 267 



All this requires money, which has been heretofore raised by 

 the members of the club, who are working in the interest of the 

 public. Is it too much to expect some assistance from the peo- 

 ple, through the Government of the day, for the extension and 

 the better carrying on of so noble a work ? I trust our enter- 

 prising and energetic president (elect), Alderman George W. 

 Stephens, known as the "faithful watch-dog" (which means 

 much), who hereafter will be known as the "pointer, Irish or 

 Gordon setter," much more intelligent animals than the " watch- 

 dog," will make an effort to secure the assistance suggested 

 above. He, being a life-long Liberal, should have much influ- 

 ence with the Mercier administration, if he be yet true to his 

 party. 



A word now to young, inexperienced sportsmen. Many imag- 

 ine that shooting and drinking are synonymous terms. This, 

 in my experience, is a slur on the true and gentlemanly sport 

 with rod and gun. Anyway, I never knew a good shot addicted 

 to drink or of intemperate habits. To be successful with cock, 

 four things are essential : A clear head, a keen eye, a good pair 

 of legs, and a brace of well-trained dogs. As a rule, our dogs are 

 not MS well broken and steady since the introduction of breech- 

 loaders as in old times when muzzle-loaders were in use. Then, 

 plenty of time was taken in loading, the dog being trained to 

 corne into heel, and down, " charge," where he lay quietly until 

 orders were given to "seek dead." Whereas, with the breech- 

 loader, the young and inexperienced sports rush after the bird 

 when down, loading as they advance, and by so doing flush other 

 birds, which course has a tendency to make the dogs unsteady 

 and wild. Three-fourths of the enjoyment of cock-shooting is 

 the action and proper hunting of the dogs ; the bird, to the prac- 

 tised sportsman, is of minor importance. Another point to be 

 observed is not to enter the cover too early in the morning, when 

 the dew is heavy. Much time will thus be saved from false 

 point-s the scent being strong where the birds had been feeding 

 and moving about at early morn. Never permit your dogs to run 

 when going to or returning from cover ; they will get as much 

 work as is good for their health during the day, particularly in 

 heavy and dirty ground. On returning at night, the dogs, being 

 both tired and stiff, should be the first to receive attention. I 

 have frequently had to lift them from the waggon, they being un- 



