52 WATER SPANIELS. [CH. in. 



conclude with your shooting the bird and obliging him 

 to retrieve it. He should be made handy to your sig- 

 nals (iv. to vn. and x. of 141), so as to hunt the fens 

 and marshes, and " seek dead " exactly where you may 

 wish. 



91. This obedience to the hand is particularly re- 

 quired ; for when the spaniel is swimming he is on a 

 level with the bird, and therefore is not so likely to see 

 it, especially if there is a ripple on the water, as 

 you are, who probably may be standing many feet above 

 him on the shore. As you may frequently, while he is 

 retrieving, have occasion to direct his movements when 

 at a considerable distance from him, you probably 

 would find it more advantageous to teach him the for- 

 ward signal used by shepherds (143), than the one 

 described in iv. of 141. 



92. A water spaniel should also be taught to fetch 

 (96, 98, 106 to 109), be accustomed to follow quietly 

 close to your heels, be broken in, not to the "down 

 charge" (27), but to the "drop" (23 to 26), the instant 

 you signal to him, while you are noiselessly stalking 

 the wild-fowl previously reconnoitered, with the aid of 

 your Dollond, from some neighbouring height; nor 

 should he stir a limb, however long he and you may 

 have to await, ensconced behind a favouring bush, the 

 right moment for the destructive raking discharge of 

 your first barrel, to be followed by the less murderous, 

 but still effective flying shot. On hearing the report, 

 it is his duty to dash instantly into the water, and 

 secure the slain as rapidly as possible. 



93. A really good water retriever is a scarce and 

 valuable animal. He should be neither white nor black, 

 because the colours are too conspicuous, especially the 



