THE PARTRIDGE, 111 



and the hand should do far more than the voice. If well broke, 

 they may be allowed to range pretty widely, so that they remain 

 in sight. Young Dogs must alwaj'-s be within hearing, other- 

 wise they commit some gross errors without being reprimanded 

 at the proper moment. When the Dogs come to a stand, ap- 

 proach as noiselessly as possible, and if the grass be deep, lift 

 the feet high, and tread as lightly as you are able; and, if the 

 Birds are wild, and lie badly, incline the body forward, so as 

 to keep it somewhat out of view. Flush the Bird yourself by 

 advancing, if necessary, even before the Dogs, as it is bad prac- 

 tice to encourage the Dogs to do it by hieing them on. 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 mas- 

 ter is directly behind them, or doing it for their own particular 

 gratification when he is entirely out of gunshot. Old Dogs 

 may be hied on occasionally, when circumstances seem to de- 

 mand it, but young Dogs never, without we wish to spoil them, 

 and consequently give ourselves a world of trouble in breaking 

 them. 



When the game is sprung, do not 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, ^rhaps 

 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. Endeavor 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. Dogs should be made to couch immediately at the 

 springing of a covey, or taught to come to heel without rating, 

 and never allowed to seek dead Birds till after the Gun is 

 charged a second time. A Retriever that rushes out immedi- 

 ately on the firing of the Gun, in quest of the fallen victim, 

 oftentimes does an immense deal of harm; he should be tauoht 



