388 EMPLOYMENT OF THE DOG IN HUNTING, ETC. 



in the season, and so the proprietor of a large preserve likes to 

 give the greatest happiness to the greatest number of his friends 

 on the small number of days which his gamekeeper advises him 

 that he can afford. These spaniels, however, are too heavy for 

 wild woodlands, or for cock-shooting, for which the light corky 

 cocker must be employed. But between these two there is little 

 room for the too noisy beagle, or the too silent terrier, and they 

 are therefore seldom used, though the last is very useful to the 

 single sportsman who goes quietly poking about in search of 

 a shot. 



WILDFOWL-SHOOTING. 



As far as the dog is concerned, this kind of sport requires 

 a steady water spaniel or retriever, with a good nose, and 

 thoroughly accustomed to his work. In river and pond shooting, 

 he will have to find as well as to retrieve the ducks or other 

 kinds of water- fowl which are sought for; but in the marine 

 variety his sole use is to retrieve the dead and crippled birds, 

 which would otherwise be beyond the reach of the shooter. For 

 each kind, however, the power of retrieving is most important, 

 and no one would think of embarking in this sport without a 

 dog thoroughly broken in this respect, or likely to become so. 

 Those who wish to become expert in it, and have no friend or 

 servant able to teach them the various details necessary for its 

 successful prosecution, will do well to consult -the pages of Col. 

 Hawker, who has written most minute instructions for the con- 

 struction and management of punts, punt guns, &c, in his 

 celebrated work on shooting. 



