94 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



enables him the more easily to enter briar-patches and 

 thorny thickets, and to withstand cold; for the ruffed 

 grouse is nearly always hunted in cold or temperate 

 weather. 



The following experience in support of his superior- 

 ity comes to mind: 



I was among the blackberry-patches of Saginaw 

 County, Mich., for a week's shooting, and had as com- 

 panions two dogs; one a well-broken pointer (not a blue- 

 blood), the other a thick-coated Irish setter, who had so 

 far forgotten his early training, by serving as ''town 

 dog," as to chase a bird until it took refuge in a tree, 

 and then proclaim the fact with an indefatigable vehemence 

 that was very amusing to everyone save his owner. 



On the second morning, the pointer refused to enter 

 the thorny coverts. I therefore sent in the ambitious 

 red-coat, who hurriedly dispersed the congregations. 

 At the end of the first hour, I caught and thrashed him. 

 This was repeated at irregular intervals until night-fall, 

 when I had a thoroughly subjugated dog, and all of my 

 shells intact. 



Next morning, much to my surprise, this dog pointed 

 like a veteran, while the pointer again refused to face 

 the briars. The setter was therefore used during the 

 remainder of my stay. 



By the third night he had worn off what we term the 

 "wire edge," and a large portion of his coat; but, 

 undaunted as before, he resolutely obeyed every motion, 

 pointed with excellent judgment, and without breaking, 

 and worked as industriously and unflinchingly on the last 

 day as on the third. It was a wonderful performance, 

 but one that shall never be repeated by one of my dogs, 

 for after our return home the poor fellow lay by the fire 

 three days, nearly blind, and so foot-sore he could not 

 walk. 



