CARDINAL QUALITIES OF HUNTING boas. 55 
If they can do this under these circumstances, 
how much less pernicious must be the influences, 
if any, which remain after birds have been 
dropped from the mouth, and the dog has again 
sought the wind. There is another factor to be 
considered ; it does not seem impossible (far from 
it; it is more than probable) that a dog would lose 
heart and run with less spirit were he restrained 
on every occasion from approaching the game 
which he sees fall to his work, while an idler at 
the heels of his master is allowed the honor of re- 
trieving what he was in no way instrumental in 
securing. 
It is believed that a dog constantly improves 
until six years old. As each intervening year 
passes, he feels more keenly his sense of duty; 
his attachments become firmer, and he is more 
deeply impressed with the fact that upon his 
actions his master’s success in the field very 
greatly depends. In considering the qualities 
which are essential in a dog, a good nose is, of 
course, first in importance. Endowed by Nature, 
it is to him what genius is to the artist, the sculp- 
tor. All other qualities may be acquired, but this 
must be inborn. Stanchness and_ tractability 
