134 VIGOUR IN OLD AGE. [OH. vin. 



of sports, if followed before the unfortunate birds get strong on the 

 wing as unprofitable, too, for the table, as unsatisfactory to the 



real sportsman. Sir J s M e, of Perthshire, told me that he 



had shot grouse over an Oxfordshire pointer bitch (the best he ever 

 possessed and the founder of his kennel-stock) until she was eighteen 

 years of age, when she could do no more than crawl up the side of 

 a hill, occasionally, to gain time, making false points. Once, how- 

 ever, on the top, she would work merrily downwards, no false 

 points then. 



227. But canine veterans, of however invalided a constitution, if 

 they have been really first-rate in their youth, are not always to be 

 despised. Occasionally you may come across one who will, from his 

 past experience and superior nose, prove a more valuable auxiliary 

 in the field, than many a campaigner of greater activity and vigour. 



228. Many years ago I went from the south of England for some 

 grouse shooting in Scotland. When arranging with my companion 



(Captain S s, a connexion of the kind-hearted old warrior, whose 



crowning victory was Goojerat,) what dogs should accompany us, he 

 remarked, that it would be useless to take his old Dropper (one far 

 more resembling a pointer than a setter), as he was too aged to 

 undergo any work. I observed, that he could do us no harm if he 

 did us no good ; and, as he had been an admirable animal, I advised 

 his being taken. Off he went to the North ; and frequently did we 

 afterwards congratulate ourselves upon this decision, for the old 

 fellow, apparently grateful for the compliment seemed to feel that 

 he ought to make us some return, and that the less ground he could 

 traverse with his legs the more he was bound to traverse with his 

 nose. The result was, that while he was slowly pottering about, 

 (the season being unusually hot and dry, there was but little scent) 

 he was constantly finding us birds which his more flashy companions 

 had passed over ; and before we left Scotland we agreed that none 

 of our dogs had procured us so many shots as the slow, careful old 

 gentleman. 



229. Old birds become very cunning ; they are quite sensible of 

 the danger they incur by rising, and to escape from the dog, and 

 puzzle him, have as many wiles and twists as a hunted hare. It 

 may be that as old age advances, their decreasing bodily powers 

 warn them to add to their security by the exercise of their wits. 

 It is often remarked, that if ever we kill any of their natural 

 enemies, whether winged or four-footed, we are sure to find them 

 in niir condition. This condition makes it obvious, that they must 

 have gained with years the experience which enables them to obtain 

 a good livelihood by craft, at a time of life when their failing strength 

 would prevent their procuring a single meal by a direct pursuit. * 

 If then we argue from analogy, we shall think it almost impossible 



* Indeed, through a merciful dis- ing, painful death from starvation, 

 pensation, it seems to be ordained, but shall serve for the nourish- 

 that no animal (in the general ment of others before his body 

 course of nature) shall die a linger- becomes attenuated from want. 



