THE PARTRIDGE. 167 



Young dogs can never stand such training, as they are not able, or 

 at all events, being so very eager, are not willing, to comprehend 

 the wide difference between flushing the game when their master is 

 directly behind them and doing it for their own particular gratifi- 

 cation when he is entirely out of gunshot. Old dogs may be hied 

 on occasionally, when circumstances seem to demand it, but young 

 dogs never, except we wish to spoil them and consequently give 

 ourselves a world of trouble in breaking them. 



When the game is sprung, do net fire at random into the covey ; 

 if you do, you will be sadly disappointed at your want of success. 

 On the contrary, carefully select one bird, on which draw, and 

 then give the other barrel to another, perhaps one of the stragglers 

 last up. Never mind the dead birds ; your dogs ought to be able 

 to find them. Watch the covey, if you have no marker, and see 

 exactly where they alight ; and follow, if practicable, as soon as 

 your gun is loaded. It is better not to stir from the spot where 

 you are standing till your gun is charged again, as there may have 

 been one or two stragglers left behind when the covey flew. En- 

 deavor at all times to be on the qui vive for such as may be termed 

 chance shots, which will amount to a great deal in the course of a 

 day's shooting. 



A dog that will industriously and perseveringly hunt up wounded 

 or dead birds when so ordered, we consider absolutely a sine qud 

 non in shooting. In truth, a dog that will not assist his master in 

 this important service we would almost consider worthless for par- 

 tridge-shooting in some particular sections of country. Every dog 

 can be taught this duty without much trouble, although at first it is 

 often necessary to exercise, with young and high-strung animals, 

 considerable patience and perseverance, so as to confine their at- 

 tention to the particular spot where the game is supposed to have 

 fallen, thus giving them a fair opportunity of catching the scent 

 of the bird if dead, or of getting upon the track of it if only 

 wounded. When a dog, more particularly a well-bred setter, has 

 once acquired a tact and fondness for this particular duty, he is 

 most invaluable to the sportsman, and will save from prolonged 



