INITIATORY LESSONS CONTINUED. 507 



would frequently run around to the other side of the 

 thicket, and then rush in to drive the game towards me. 

 This killing plan had in no way been taught her ; she 

 adopted it solely of her own sagacity. Having been 

 much hunted in cover when young, she was so fond of 

 it (65) as to be, comparatively speaking, quite unservice 

 able on the stubbles. 



WATER SPANIELS (OR WATER RETRIEVERS). 



81. A young water spaniel might, with advantage, 

 occasionally be indulged with a duck hunt in warm 

 weather. It would tend to make him quick in the 

 water, and observant. The finishing lessons might con- 

 clude with your shooting the bird and obliging him to 

 retrieve it. He should be made handy to your signals 

 iv. to vii. and x. of 119 so as to hunt the fens and 

 marshes, and " seek dead " exactly where you may wish. 



82. This obedience to the hand is particularly re- 

 quired ; for when the spaniel is swimming he is on a level 

 with the bird, and therefore is not so likely to see it 

 especially if there is a ripple on the water as you, who 

 probably are standing many feet above him on the 

 shore. As you may frequently, while he is retrieving, 

 have occasion to direct his movements when at a con- 

 siderable distance from him, you probably would find it 

 more advantageous to teach him the forward signal 

 used by shepherds, than the one described in iv. of 110. 



