12 "LEAD." "TOHO." "OK" [CH. n. 



him by jerking the cord, at the same time saying, 

 " Toho," and lifting up your right arm almost perpen- 

 dicularly. By pressing on the cord with your foot, 

 you can restrain him as long as you please. Do not 

 let him take what you have thrown, until you give 

 him the encouraging word, " On," accompanied by a 

 forward movement of the right arm and hand, some- 

 what similar to the swing of an under-hand bowler at 

 cricket. 



20. Let all your commands be given in a low voice. 

 Consider that in the field, where you are anxious not to 

 alarm the birds unnecessarily, your words must reach 

 your dogs' ears more or less softened by distance, and, 

 if their influence depends on loudness, they will have 

 the least effect at the very moment when you wish 

 them to have the most. For the same reason, in the 

 initiatory lessons, be careful not to whistle loudly.* 



21. After a few trials with the checkcord, you will 

 find yourself enabled, without touching it, and merely 

 by using the word " Toho," to prevent his seizing the 

 toast (or meat), until you say " On," or give him the 

 forward signal. When he gets yet more perfect in his 

 lesson, raising your right arm only, without employing 

 your voice, will be sufficient, especially if you have 

 gradually accustomed him to hear you speak less and 

 less loudly. If he draw towards the bread before he 

 has obtained leave, jerk the cord, and drag him lack to 

 the spot from which he stirred. He is not to quit it 

 until you order him, occupy yourself as you may. 

 Move about, and occasionally go from him, as far as 

 you can, before you give the command " On." This 



* It may be fancy, but I have other birds regarded the sports- 

 imagined that coveys hatched near man's whistle, 

 railway stations have less than 



