50 COVERS. [CH, in. 



envied character. The strength and density of the bush occa- 

 sionally there encountered, is more than we in England can imagine : 

 and in such situations, experience has shown the sportsmen the 

 superiority of spaniels which give tongue. On hearing the warning 

 cheerful music, the line halts for a few seconds, as, notwithstanding 

 all the noise, some little time may pass before the cock is sprung, 

 for he is frequently so protected by a wall of impervious thicket, 

 (though sure to have a clear opening overhead for unimpeded flight) 

 that the keenest dogs cannot immediately get at him. 



85. Although the country abounds with deer and boar, it is almost 

 needless to observe, that the cock-shooters are too noisy a party often 

 to bag such noble game, unless some ambitious and bold man (for 

 being alone he risks having a long barrel covertly pointed at him^ 

 take up a favourable position far in advance. Captain Best, a 

 fellow-student of mine, about a dozen years ago, gives a spirited 

 account of this shooting, in his entertaining book, entitled " Ex- 

 cursions in Albania." 



86. In the northern part of the Morea, about twenty-five miles* 

 from Patras (near Ali Tchelepi, a dilapidated monastery inhabited 

 by only three monks n^ar Monolada, and Pera Metochi), Mr. 



n and Captaim B y, between the 14th of January, 1843, 



and the llth oi' the following month (both days inclusive), killed 

 862 woodcocks, 11 hares, 11 duck, and 11 snipe. Not bad sport ! 



87. In very thick covers it is obvious, the height of 

 setters being greatly against them, that spaniels are far 

 preferable : but in light covers, and when the leaves are 

 off the trees, handy old setters (if white, all the better) 

 that will readily confine themselves to a restricted range, 

 and will flush their game when ordered fiv. and vn. of 

 141 and 284) afford quite as much sport, if not more. 

 Setters do not, to the same degree, alarm birds ; and 

 there is, also, this advantage, that they can be employed 

 on all occasions, excepting in low gorse or the closest 

 thickets, whereas spaniels, from their contracted " beat," 

 are nearly useless in the open when game is scarce. 

 You will be prepared, when first you hunt a setter in 

 cover, to sacrifice much of your sport. There must be 

 noise ; for it is essential to make him at once thoroughly 

 understand the very different " beat " required of him, 

 and this can only be effected by constantly checking 

 and rating him, whenever he rages beyond the prescribed 



