LESSONS IN "FETCHING." 517 



at the extremities of the stick. He will then only grasp 

 it near the middle. 



95. This drill should be further extended if a 



REGULAR LAND RETRIEVER 



be your pupil. Throw dead birds of any kind for him 

 to bring of course one at a time, being on the alert 

 to check him whenever he grips them too severely. If 

 he persists in disfiguring them, pass a few blunted knit- 

 ting needles through them at right angles to one another. 

 When he fetches with a tender mouth, you will be able 

 to follow up this method of training still further by 

 letting him " road " or " foot," as it is often termed 

 a rabbit in high stubble, one or both, if a strong buck 

 of whose hind legs you will have previously bandaged 

 in the manner described in 56. Be careful not to let 

 him see you turn it out, lest he watch your proceedings 

 and endeavor to " hunt by eye." Indeed it might be 

 better to employ another person to turn it out. Keep 

 clear of woods for some time the cross scents would 

 puzzle him. If by any chance you have a winged 

 pheasant or partridge, let him retrieve it. You will 

 not, I presume, at the commencement select a morning 

 when there is a dry cold wind from the north-east, but 

 probably you will wish to conclude his initiatory lessons 

 on days which you judge to possess least scent. The 

 more he has been practised as described in 39, the better 

 will he work ; for he cannot keep his nose too persever- 



