CH. XIL] BACKING. 207 



dog, do so ; and aim at the one most likely to fall near 

 him. Endeavour to make him comprehend that any 

 sign or word to urge on or retard the leading dog, in no 

 way applies to him. This he will soon understand if he 

 has been properly instructed with an associate in the 

 initiatory lesson described in (49). After you have 

 picked up the bird let him sniff at it. 



354. It is most important that the dog which first 

 winds birds should be allowed to " road" them to a 

 spring without being flurried, or in any way interfered 

 with by another dog. Few things are more trying to 

 your temper as a sportsman, than to see a self-sufficient 

 cub, especially when birds are wild, creep up to the 

 old dog whom he observes pointing at a distance, or 

 cautiously drawing upon a covey. The young whipper- 

 snapper pays no attention to your most energetic signals : 

 you are afraid to speak lest you should alarm the birds, 

 and before you can catch hold of the presumptuous 

 jackanapes, he not only steals close to the good old dog, 

 but actually ventures to head him ; nay, possibly dares 

 to crawl on yet nearer to the birds in the hope of enjoy- 

 ing a more intoxicating sniff. 



355. All dogs but the " finder" should stand wholly 

 by sight, just the reverse of pointing. Your dog's nose 

 ought to have nothing to do with backing. If you per- 

 mit it, he will get the abominable habit of creeping up 

 to his companions in the manner just described (354), 

 when he observes them to be winding birds ; and though 

 he may not presume to take the lead, nay, even keep at 

 so respectful a distance as in no way to annoy the 

 " finder," yet a longing to inhale the " grateful steam " 

 (as that good poet and capital sportsman, Somerville, 

 terms it) will make him constantly watch the other 

 dogs, instead of bestowing his undivided attention and 



