574 DOG-BREAKING. 



allowed the privilege of " seeking dead," I must admit 

 that in the cultivated lands of England, when a dog 

 " sees a bird fall," he might in nine cases out of ten 

 go direct to it without inconvenience. Even here, how- 

 ever, there are occasions when intervening obstacles may 

 prevent you observing what the dog is about; and in 

 cover, so far from being able to give him any assistance 

 by signalling, you may be ignorant whether or not he has 

 seen the bird knocked over, or is even aware of the 

 general direction in which he ought to seek. But in the 

 oft-occurring cases in which " he does not see the bird 

 fall," it is obvious particularly when he happens to be at 

 the extremity of his beat, that you will far more quickly 

 place him where you wish, if you make him, at first, 

 run up to you, and then advance from you, straight 

 to the bird, by your forward signal 190. These good 

 results at least will follow, if you remain stationary, and 

 make him join you. You do not lose sight of the spot 

 where you marked that the bird or birds fell. The foil 

 is not interfered with by your walking over the ground 

 a matter of much importance, especially on bad-scent- 

 ing days. The dog, if habituated to "seek" without 

 your companionship, will readily hunt morasses and 

 ravines, where you might find it difficult to accompany 

 him. He will feel the less free to follow his own vagaries ; 

 and this consciousness of subjection will dispose him 

 to pay more watchful attention to your signals. He will 

 the more patiently wait at the "down charge;" and 

 when you are reloaded will not be so tempted to dash reck- 



