268 FALCONRY 



They may be at a little distance from him, and will lie like 

 stones with the hawk overhead, so that the falconer may be 

 unable to light upon them instantly, and the delay of a few 

 moments may be fatal. We have seen two or three dogs of 

 the breed of lemon and white setters, belonging to Mr. St. 



■ Quintin, that would dash in ' as keen as mustard ' at the signal 

 and flush the nearest grouse of the covey, dropping instantane- 



. ously as they did so. There they would remain during the 

 time the hawk was flown, was taken up, and a fresh hawk 

 taken from the cadge and hooded off, and after she had got to. her- 

 pitch would again dash in and flush, at the exact moment, the 

 remaining bird or birds of the covey. In this way we have 

 seen, especially with one magnificent setter called ' Prince,' who 

 worked for many seasons solely with hawks, three and four 

 flights obtained from the same point at one covey, the dog 

 lying immovable during the long time — perhaps twenty minutes 

 — that elapsed during the flight and taking up of the hawk in each 

 case. Yet these dogs were no potterers, but were dashing, high- 

 ranging dogs of the highest class, thoroughly acquainted with the 

 work they had to do, and fond of it. They were seldom used with 



>the gun, and seemed to work with more intelligence and sense 

 of responsibility than dogs which are shot over usually display. 



J As a rule we have found setters more suited to hawking, and 

 more capable of understanding the peculiar work that is required 

 of them than pointers. This appears to have been the experience 

 of falconers at all times, and is placed on record in various books. 

 Partridge hawking is very similar to grouse hawking, but 

 is, from the nature of the country, more circumscribed. Hence 

 very dashing fliers that have done well at grouse cannot 

 always be flown in the low country. Tiercels, which, as a rule, 

 cannot kill grouse regularly after the first fortnight or so, are 

 best suited to this flight, and if only they will go high enough, 

 and wait on steadily, they will show perfect sport wherever the 

 fields are large enough to give a fair chance of a flight. A good 

 spaniel or two that is used to the hawks .should be taken out in 

 order to put out or retrieve a bird driven into a hedge. 



