WILD-BRED AND HAND-REARED 



Whenever you come across a youth with these quali- 

 ties, combined, as they probably will be, with a power 

 of marking and an undying love for dogs, keep him in 

 your service, and promote him to an under keeper's 

 place as soon as possible — you have got hold of the 

 right sort. 



In wild shooting there is no such useless and un- 

 productive personage as the man who, whether by 

 bad handhng of his dog, or by the noise and blun- 

 dering which accompany his own progress, is alwa^■s 

 disturbing the ground for miles in front of him. In 

 no case is this more evident than when you are trying 

 to get up to and come to terms with wild cock phea- 

 sants ; and you may be certain that unless those with 

 you have the same instinct as yourself and your good 

 dog, that is, of covering the ground rapidly and silently, 

 while never passing or neglecting a thick or likely 

 piece of covert, you have no chance against these active 

 and wily birds. Such men will blunder on a wood- 

 cock or two ; roar at an occasional rabbit, which you 

 will not get ; and flush a certain number of terrified 

 hen pheasants from under their noisy feet ; but the bril- 

 liant old cock, the object of your pursuit, with his stout 

 legs, keen eye, and strong wings, you will never see 

 unless, haply, he takes it into his head to wing his way, 

 apparently unconcerned, across the heath, some three 



