CH. xvi.] POINT RESUMED. 285 



out of gun-shot. If you should " soho " a hare, and wish 

 to kill one, you will have an excellent opportunity of 

 practising this lesson. 



511. In America there is a singular duck, called, from its often 

 alighting on trees, the Wood-duck. I have killed some of these 

 beautiful, fast-flying birds, while they were seated on logs over- 

 hanging the water, which I could not have approached within 

 gun-shot had the dog not properly backed the gun when signalled 

 to, and cautiously crept after me, still remaining far in the rear. 



TO EETBEAT FROM A POINT AND RESUME IT. 



512. Amidst coppices, osiers, or broom indeed, some- 

 times on a rough moor you will occasionally lose sight 

 of a dog, and yet be unwilling to call him, feeling as- 

 sured that he is somewhere steadily pointing ; and being 

 vexatiously certain that, when he hears your whistle, he 

 will either leave his point, not subsequently to resume 

 it, or (which is far more probable) amuse himself by 

 raising the game before he joins you. There are 

 moments when you would give guineas if he would 

 retreat from his point, come to you on your whistling, 

 lead you towards the bird, and there resume his point. 



513. This accomplishment (and in many places abroad 

 its value is almost inappreciable) can be taught him, 

 if he is under great command, by your occasionally 

 bringing him to heel from a point when he is within 

 sight and near you, and again putting him on his 

 point. You will begin your instruction in this accom- 

 plishment when the dog is pointing quite close to you. 

 On subsequent occasions, you can gradually increase the 

 distance, until you arrive at such perfection that you can 

 let him be out of sight when you call him. When he is 

 first allowed to be out of your sight, he ought not to be 

 far from you. 



514. You may, for a moment, think that what is here 



