DISTINGUISHING WHISTLES. 631 



to back you, for he actually will be backing you, 

 ludicrous as the expression may sound. After a few 

 times he will do so on the signal, without your 

 speaking at all ; and he will be as pleased, as excited, 

 and as stanch, as if he were backing an old dog. 

 Making him " drop " will not effect your object , for, 

 besides that it in no way increases his intelligence, 

 you may wish him to follow at a respectful distance, 

 while you are stealing along the banks of some 

 stream, &c. Ere long he will become as sensible as 

 yourself that any noise would alarm the birds, and 

 you will soon see him picking his steps to avoid the 

 crisp leaves, lest their rustling should betray him. I 

 have even heard of a dog whose admirable caution occa- 

 sionally led him, when satisfied that his point was ob- 

 served, to crawl behind a bush, or some other shelter, 

 to screen himself from the notice of the birds. 



277. The acquisition of this accomplishment and it 

 is easily taught to a young dog previously made steady 

 in backing another it should not be attempted before 

 will often secure you a duck, or other wary bird, which 

 the dog would otherwise, almost to a certainty, spring 

 out of gun-shot. If you should " toho " a hare, and 

 wish to kill one, you will have an excellent opportunity 

 of practising this lesson. 



278. In America there is a singular duck, called, from 

 its often alighting on trees, the Wood-duck. I have 

 killed some of these beautiful, fast-flying birds, while 

 they were seated on logs overhanging the water, which 



