344 BREAKING AND ENTERING. 



into covert, and at that time the scent is very strong, especially 

 in the evening. The birds soon rise into the trees, and after 

 that are no longer disturbed by the dog. In hunting hedge- 

 rows, the young dog should at first be kept on the same side as 

 the shooter, so that his movements may be watched ; but, as 

 soon as he can be trusted, he should be sent through to the 

 other side, and made to drive his game towards the gun, always 

 taking care that the dog does not get out of shot. In first 

 introducing a young dog to a large covert, he must be put down 

 with a couple of old ones which are very steady ; and, at the 

 same time, he should have a shot-collar on, or one of his legs 

 up. Without this precaution he will be sure to range too wide, 

 and, if he gets on the scent of a hare, he will probably follow 

 her all over the covert, to the entire destruction of the day's 

 sport ; but, by the above precautions, he is prevented doing 

 this, and by imitating his fellows, he soon learns to keep within 

 the proper distance. Here, as in all dogs intended for the gun, 

 the great principle is to make them understand that it is the 

 instrument of destruction, not themselves, and that it is only 

 by paying proper attention to the gun that they can be ex- 

 pected to succeed in obtaining game. In working spaniels in 

 covert great quiet is desirable, as game will never come within 

 distance of the shooter if they hear a noise proceeding from 

 him, and hence the constant encouragement to the dogs, which 

 some sportsmen indulge in, is by no means necessary. If the 

 spaniel is properly broken, he can hear his master as he passes 

 through the underwood, and he will take care to drive the 

 game towards him, while, if he is slack and idle, the voice does 

 him little good, and prevents the only chance of getting a shot 

 which might otherwise occur. In battue shooting, spaniels, if 

 employed, are in aid of the beaters, not of the shooters, most 



