CH. xvi.] BACKING THE GUN. 281 



give distinct unvarying sounds, so that no dog could mistake his 

 own whistle, let it be blown by whom it might. He at once under- 

 stood what was required, and has invented one with a slide that 

 answers well for two dogs. He told me that he was making further 

 improvements, and expected to contrive one which would answer 

 for as many as three or four dogs. Messrs. Stevens, Darlington 

 Works, Southwark-bridge Koad, are the manufacturers. 



TO BACK THE GUN. 



509. In shooting, especially late in the season, you 

 will often mark down a bird, and feel assured that you 

 stand a better chance of getting a shot at it if the dogs 

 cease hunting whilst you approach it. You can teach 

 your dog to do this by holding up your right hand 

 behind you when you mark down a bird, saying at the 

 same time, "Toho," in an earnest, quiet voice, and 

 carrying your gun as if you were prepared to shoot. 

 He will soon begin, I really must say it, to back you, 

 for he actually will be backing you, ludicrous as the ex- 

 pression may sound. After a few times he will do so on 

 the signal, without your speaking at all ; and he will be 

 as pleased, as excited, and as stanch, as if he were 

 backing an old dog. Making him " drop " will not effect 

 your object ; for, besides that it in no way increases his 

 intelligence, you may wish him to follow at a respectful 

 distance, while you are stealing along the banks of some 

 stream, &c. Ere long he will become as sensible as 

 yourself that any noise would alarm the birds, and you 

 will soon see him picking his steps to avoid the crisp 

 leaves, lest their rustling should betray him. I have 

 even heard of a dog whose admirable caution occasionally 

 led him, when satisfied that his point was observed, to 

 crawl behind a bush, or some other shelter, to screen* 

 himself from the notice of the birds. 



* On one occasion, shooting in animal's endeavouring to hide 

 India, I saw an instance of an itself, that always struck me as 



