FLAPPER SHOOTING. 80 



must make them entirely supersede the old plan. Their 

 construction will be found in the chapter devoted to punt- 

 guns, including muzzle loaders as well as breech loaders. 



BEST DOG FOR WILDFOWL SHOOTING. 



The small Newfoundland and the water-spaniel divide 

 between them the favours of the wildfowl shooter, but the 

 latter is generally preferred. In the second book the former 

 is represented in the shape of the land-retriever, with a slight 

 cross of the setter; and there will also be found an exact re- 

 presentation of the northern Irish water-spaniel and of the 

 south-country dog as well, the latter being free from white. A 

 considerable difference of opinion exists as to the dog most 

 suited to wildfowl shooting ; but there can be no hesitation in 

 affirming that the following points are essential to success : 

 In the first place, he must be hardy in constitution, with a 

 woolly undercoat impervious to wet, and good powers of 

 swimming. Then he should be completely under command, 

 not requiring more than a look or movement of the hand to 

 tell him what to do. Thirdly, he should be free from white, 

 so as to be as little visible as may be, a liver colour being 

 better than a black. Fourthly, a good nose must be super- 

 added, and he must be taught to retrieve without injuring a 

 feather. When these good qualities are combined in any 

 animal, the shooter should not be inquisitive about his 

 breed, nor should he care about appearances, which are often 

 extremely deceitful. If, however, a water-retriever is to be 

 reared and broken, the Irish water-spaniel, or the English 

 dog of that breed, should be chosen, or the crosu with the 

 Scotch terrier and pointer, as recommended by Mr. Colqu- 

 houn, and represented among the retrievers. The small 

 Newfoundland is very generally used, but his colour and size 

 are against him. 



FLAPPER SHOOTING. 



The young broods of the wild duck which are bred in this 

 country are just fledged and barely able to fly about the 

 end of Julv, earlier or later according to the season. The 

 method of proceeding will depend upon the breeding ground, 



