CH. iv.] WATCHES FLIGHT OF BIRDS. 67 



other birds) during his absence, each in a hole covered 

 with a tile. Afterwards come upon these spots ap- 

 parently unexpected!}^ and, kicking away the tiles, 

 (or, what is better, dragging them off by a previously 

 adjusted string,) shoot the birds for him to bring ; it 

 being clearly understood that he has been previously 

 tutored into having no dread of the gun. As he will have 

 been taught to search where bidden (iv. to vui. of 141), 

 nothing now remains but to take him out on a regular 

 campaign, when the fascinating scent of game will 

 infallibly make him search (I do not say deliver) with 

 great eagerness. When once he then touches upon a 

 scent, leave him entirely to himself, not a word, not a 

 sign. Possibly his nose may not be able to follow the 

 bird, but it is certain that yours cannot. Occasionally 

 you may be able to help an old retriever (544), but rarely, 

 if ever, a young one. Your interference, nay, probably 

 your mere presence, would so excite him as to make 

 him overrun the scent. Remain, therefore, quietly 

 where you are, until he rejoins you. 



115. When we see a winged pheasant racing off, most 

 of us are too apt to assist a young dog, forgetting that 

 we thereby teach him, instead of devoting his whole 

 attention to work out the scent, to turn to us for aid 

 011 occasions when it may be impossible to give it. 

 When a dog is hunting for birds, he should frequently 

 look to the gun for signals, but when he is on them, he 

 should trust to nothing but his own scenting faculties. 



116. If, from a judicious education, a retriever pup 

 has had a delight in " fetching " rapidly, it is not likely 

 he will loiter on the way to mouth his birds ; but the 

 fatigue of carrying a hare a considerable distance may, 

 perhaps, induce a young dog to drop it in order to take 

 a moment's rest. There is a risk that when doing so 



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