FIRST LESSON IN AUTUMN CONTINUED. 575 



lessly after the bird, regardless whether or not he raises 

 others on the way. If he is dragging a cord, you can the 

 more easily take hold of its end, in order to check him, 

 and make him point when he first winds the dead bird 

 and, should you be shooting over several dogs, by none of 

 them being permitted to run direct to the fallen bird 

 they will the less unwillingly allow you to select the 

 one who is to approach close to you before " seeking 

 dead." 



185. The opponents of this method argue, that the 

 practice may give the dog the bad habit of running 

 immediately after the " down charge " to the gun, instead 

 of recommencing to hunt; particularly if he is shot 

 over by a first-rate performer. Granted ; but is not the 

 temptation to bolt off in search of a dead bird still 

 stronger ? To check the former evil, endeavor to make 

 the coming to " heel " an act of obedience rather than a 

 voluntary act, by never failing, as soon as you are 

 re-loaded, to give the customary signal vin. of 119 

 when you have killed, or the signal to " hie on " should 

 you have missed. 



186. Moreover, you will sometimes meet with a dog 

 who, when a bird has been fired at, though it be the 

 first and only one sprung of a large covey, commences 

 " seeking dead " immediately after the " down charge," 

 apparently considering that his first duty. This sad, sad 

 fault for it frequently leads to his raising the other 

 birds out of shot is generally attributable to the dog's 

 Laving been allowed to rush at the fallen bird, instead of 



