MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 413 



SPORTING-KNIFE. 



There is nothing, at times, more useful than a sporting-knife, 

 which comprises all the requisites for probing, examining locks, 

 dividing luncheon, &c. &c. The knife should not be too large or 

 complicated, but only contain those instruments which may at some 

 time or another prove useful ; for instance, it should not be defi- 

 cient in a probe, a pivot-picker, a nipple-wrench, a turn-screw, a 

 fleam for bleeding dogs, and one, perhaps, for horses also, as this 

 noble animal is so frequently a necessary accompaniment to a 

 shooting-trip that we should be provided with means to preserve 

 his well-being in case of need ; for instance, if he should be at- 

 tacked with a fit of blind staggers, or any other affection requiring 

 bleeding. 



Such knives can be obtained at the gunsmiths' or fancy sporting 

 stores, and should be as plain as possible in its appearance, and 

 valuable for its intrinsic worth. If one-half or two-thirds of the 

 price of the instrument is expended upon the finishing and carving 

 of the handle or other fancy work, we cannot expect to find good 

 metal in the blades. 



CARRYING GAME. 



The old-fashioned, cumbersome game-bag is now entirely out of 

 use, and all kinds of game are carried in pockets appropriated to 

 that purpose in the shooting-coat, of which we will speak more 

 particularly under another head. 



Before putting birds in the pocket, their feathers should be 

 smoothed down ; and, if the sportsman takes pride in the appear- 

 ance of his game, the blood ought to be wiped from their plumnge 

 before it becomes hard and congealed. 



GUNNING-CLOTHES. 



Fustian undoubtedly makes the most serviceable coat for field- 

 shooting in these latitudes, and, although entirely of cotton fabric, 



