298 THE FINDER TO RETRIEVE. [CH. xvn. 



would derive in pulling out the feathers of a bird, you 

 will find it difficult to make him deliver it up before he 

 has in some way disfigured it. 



A bitch that retrieved admirably, known to an acquaintance of 

 mine, was on one occasion so annoyed at being interfered with by 

 her companion, that, in a fit of jealousy, she actually bolted the 

 partridge she was carrying lest " Jack " should come in for a nibble. 

 I must confess I think it of much importance that a dog who 

 retrieves should be tender-mouthed, for I own I like to put my 

 birds by smooth and tidy, and, if I want them to keep long, take 

 care to observe the old rule of hanging them (by their heads rather 

 than their feet, that rain may not saturate the feathers) on the loops 

 outside the game-bag until they are quite cool, before I allow them 

 to become inside passengers ; but I generally have their bodies 

 placed within the netting, as for want of this precaution many a bird 

 has been decapitated in the scramble through a thick hedge. Game, 

 whether cool or warm, kept in a close Mackintosh bag, soon becomes 

 unfit to send to any distance. 



541. If you shoot with several dogs that retrieve, be 

 careful always to let the dog who finds the game be 

 the one to bring it. It is but fair that he should be so 

 rewarded, and thus all will be stimulated to hunt with 

 increased diligence. 



542. Captain J n, K.N., of Little B w, Essex (well-known 



for the gallantry and skill he displayed when risking his own life to 

 save that of many stranded on the Kentish coast), used to break in 

 his own dogs, and required them to show yet greater obedience and 

 forbearance while retrieving. At one period he was in the habit of 

 taking two pointers and a little spaniel into the field to hunt 

 together, the latter so small that he often carried it in his pocket 

 when it was fatigued. The following kind of scene constantly 

 occurred. One of the pointers would stand, the other back, so 



also would the spaniel. Captain J n, after killing his bird and 



loading, probably said, " Don, go fetch it." Don went forward to 

 obey. "Stop, Don." Don halted. " Carlo, fetch the bird." Carlo 

 advanced. " Stop, Carlo." Carlo obeyed. " Tiny, bring it." The 

 little creature did as ordered, and placed it in her master's hand, the 

 pointers meanwhile never moving. 



543. I am not urging you to give up the time requisite to educate 

 dogs so highly as this, but you see it can be done. 



544. If the dog that found the covey be not able 

 to wind the bird you have shot, make one of the other 



