CH. ix.] FIRST FIND. 151 



be not angry with him, but yet be stern in manner. 

 Grasping the skin of his neck, or what is better, putting 

 your hand within his collar (for he ought to wear a 

 light one), quietly drag him to the precise spot where 

 you think he was first aware of the scent of the birds. 

 There make him stand, (if stand he will, instead of 

 timidly crouching), with his head directed towards the 

 place from which the birds took wing, and by frequently 

 repeating the word "Toho," endeavour to make him 

 understand that he ought to have pointed at that 

 identical spot. Do not confuse him by even threatening 

 to beat him. The chances are twenty to one that he 

 is anxious to please you, but does not yet know what 

 you wish. I assume also that he is attached to you, 

 and his affection, from constantly inducing him to exert 

 himself to give satisfaction, will greatly develop his 

 observation and intelligence. 



260. Consider it a golden rule never to be departed 

 from (for I must again impress upon you a matter of 

 such importance), invariably to drag a dog who has put 

 up birds incautiously, or wilfully drawn too near them, 

 and so sprung them (or, what is quite as bad, though 

 young sportsmen will not sufficiently think of it, 

 endangered their rising out of shot), to the exact spot at 

 which you judge he ought to have pointed at first, and 

 awaited your instructions. 



261. Think for one moment what could be the use of 

 chiding (or beating, as I have seen some * * * * do) 

 the poor animal at the spot where he flushed the birds. 

 You are not displeased with him (or ought not to be) 

 because the birds took wing, for if they had remained 

 stationary until he was within a yard of them, his fault 

 would have been the same : nor are you angry with him 

 because he did not catch them (which interpretation he 



