594 D OG-BRE AKTNG. 



have never been so indulged. It is certain that the) 

 would not have been worse if they had ; and many a 

 dog, that would otherwise have been extremely slack, 

 has been incited to hunt with eagerness from having 

 been so rewarded. There are dogs who, from having 

 been constantly denied all " touseling," will not even 

 give themselves the trouble of searching for any bird 

 which they have seen knocked over, much less think of 

 pointing it. They seem satisfied with this ocular evi- 

 dence of its death ; for, odd to say, these very dogs will 

 often zealously obey the order to hunt for any bird 

 whose fall they have not noticed; but on winding it 

 they will indulge in no more than a passing sniff, which 

 sniff, unless you are watchful, you may not observe, and 

 so lose your bird. Never fail, therefore, to let your pupil 

 ruffle the feathers a little, while you bestow on him a 

 caress or kind word of approbation. You then incite to 

 perseverance, by, even with dogs, a very abiding motive, 

 " self-interest ; " but mind the important rule, that his 

 " nosing " be only when the bird is in your possession, 

 not before it is in your possession. If you wish to esta- 

 blish for ever a confirmed perseverance in " seeking dead," 

 you must sacrifice hours I say it seriously rather than 

 give up any of the first wounded birds. Be persuaded 

 that every half hour spent in an unremitting search for 

 one bird, if ultimately successful, will more benefit the 

 young dog than your killing a dozen to him, should you 

 bag them the moment you are reloaded. Of course you 

 would not. when you are giving such a lesson in perseve- 



