SHOOTING HARES. 607 



you do kill one, so manage that he may not see it 

 put into the bag. On no account let him mouthe it, 

 i r ou want him to love the pursuit of feather more than of 

 fur, that he may never be taken off the faintest scent of 

 birds by coming across the taint of a hare. I therefore 

 entreat you, during his first season, if you will shoot 

 hares, to fire only at those which you are likely to 

 kill outright ; for the taint of a wounded hare is so 

 strong that it would probably diminish his zeal, and the 

 sensitiveness of his nose, in searching for a winged bird. 



232. The temptation is always great to quit for a 

 strong scent of hare which any coarse-nosed dog can 

 follow a feeble one of birds; therefore it is a very 

 satisfactory test of good breaking to see a dog, when he 

 is drawing upon birds, in no way interrupted by a hare 

 having just crossed before him. If you aim at such 

 excellence, and it is frequently attained in the Highlands, 

 it is certain you must not shoot hares over your young 

 ster. 



233.1 hope that he will not see a hare before you have 

 shot a few birds over him. The first that springs up 

 near him will test the perfection to which he has attained 

 in his initiatory lessons. Lose not a moment. It is 

 most essential to restrain instantaneously the naturally 

 strong impulse of the dog to run after four-footed game. 

 Halloo out " Drop " to the extent of your voice, raise 

 your hand, crack your whip, do all you can to prevent 

 his pursuing. Of course you will not move an inch. 

 Should he commence running, thunder out " No," " no." 



