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the birds, you prevent their escape ; by driving 

 them down upon the dog again, you insure a 

 closer shot ; whilst, by your approach in front, 

 you keep him more decidedly in awe ; and you 

 are in his face, ready to stop more effectually 

 any attempt to dash at a falling bird. So far 

 the practice is excellent : but it has its defects, 

 more especially as applied to you. We will 

 suppose that your circle has been too small : 

 you come down upon him cool and regular ; 

 every step of your nearer approach makes him 

 more firm and eager ; you are ready ; so is he : 

 in half-breathless expectation of the momentary 

 spring, you pause, to mark the direction of his 

 eye; his head begins to wander; again you 

 move; nothing rises : no, Sir! the birds are up, 

 some time ago, behind you. But this is not the 

 loss : your dog is made a fool of; there is the 

 mischief; and you will perceive it at the next 

 point, where he will begin to hesitate and shuffle, 

 and not know what to make of it ; and in the 

 confusion of doubt, more particularly if his 

 temper is tenderish, or if he have a touch of the 

 fool in his composition, he will very probably 

 shrink into something very nearly related to a 

 blink ; against laying the foundation of which it 

 behoves you to be early upon your guard. 



This circuitous practice, as applied to par- 

 tridges, is less questionable. In the first place, 



