92 
THE CABINET OF NATURAL HISTORY, 
at a stand what to do — the dogs were also confounded — 
while my old dog looked me full in the face, wagged his 
tail, and then took a survey of the field — and by his dumb 
expression seemed to say, “ the birds are not far off, and 
must be found.” While in this dilemma, the old dog took 
one more snuff at the spot in the centre of the field, and 
then started ofi' anew, direct for the fence, — and with cau- 
tious step, and nose down, he proceeded to scent every 
inch for the whole circumference of the field, most proba- 
bly to ascertain whether the birds had run out of it or not, 
keeping not more than two feet from the fence. He had 
proceeded nearly around the field, until he came to a cor- 
ner beside the public road — and while with one paw on 
the fence, in the act of leaping through it, he snuffed the 
tainted air, and set the long desired birds; these were 
lodged in a small tuft of grass, not more than five feet 
from the corner of the fence; and as appears, suffered the 
dog to pass within three feet of them without moving; 
and had he not gone to the windward, and between them 
and the fence, they would have remained undiscovered. 
I supposed they must have -sprung of their own accord, 
previous to my entering the field, and after having settled 
again, remained unmoved, until I flushed them. Two hours 
had elapsed while hunting these birds, but my persever- 
ance was rewarded by a large portion of the flock, which 
would have been lost, had my movements been more rapid. 
At any rate, it proves that a Sportsman should always 
move with cautious step, and if he has good dogs,* it is 
better to trust them nine times out of ten, than his own 
judgment. 
When you are convinced that you are approaching a 
covey of birds, be quiet, and let-your dogs rather exercise 
their own judgment, than by attempting to correct a sup- 
posed error, you make matters worse. Many perspns 
think that it is a necessary part of hunting, to be constantly 
hallooing at and abusing their dogs. No Sportsman, how- 
ever, does this; — noise not only confuses dogs, but fright- 
ens and puts the game on their alert; therefore avoid any 
thing of the kind, and, as you discover by the slackened 
pace, and short ranging of the dogs, that they are drawing 
the game, walk slowly towards them, and soon as they 
stand, give notice to them of your approach by using the 
word “To-ho.” 
This, now, is the season of the most exciting interest to 
the young Sportsman; his nerves evince it, and his heart 
begins to flutter with anxiety, and it requires no common 
* I have supposed that the Sportsman is in possession of good dogs, 
as these are the most important auxiliaries in hunting; — but if he does 
not possess them, it is useless to attempt a successful excursion. For 
the manner of educating dogs, see “ Treatise on Breaking Bogs,” 
pages 160 and 186, Vol. I. of this work. 
fortitude to obtain self-command, that he may subdue these 
feelings. This is common to every beginner, and nothing but 
much practice will overcome them, and establish the sang 
froid and self-possession so highly important to success. 
This trepidation arises altogether from anxiety in the learn- 
er; he wishes to secure the game, and yet fearful to spring 
it, lest it should escape, — and he would almost shrink from 
the effort, as is evident, by his unwillingness to approach 
the spot. But let me advise the learner, the moment his 
dogs point, to walk slowly, and with undeviating step, 
right upon the game, as though he intended to kick them 
from the ground; but in no instance hurry yourself, — the 
difference of time between a deliberate, and a hurried 
walk, over a wide field, would be little over one minute, 
and the dog must be poor indeed, which would not wait 
that long for your approach; — besides, when you arrive at 
the goal, you are not excited by undue exercise, your 
nerves are more settled, and you feel deliberate — and you 
also stand less chance of prematurely flushing the covey, 
than if, by your hurry through the stubble or bushes, you 
create alarm. Recollect that the earth is a great conduc- 
tor of sound to objects which lie near its surface, and the 
brushing of stubble, or the rustling of leaves, will most as- 
suredly alarm the game, as well as make the dogs impa- 
tient. 
When within thirty or forty yards of your dogs, set 
both cocks of your gun, and after you have sprung the 
game, single out one bird and fire — let your gun fall to 
the position of carrying it — single out another, bring up 
your gun, and fire a second time. In all this you may be 
deliberate, and yet astonishingly quick. 
It is very important how you should carry your gun, 
especially when cocked, and you in company with a friend. 
The best and most ready plan is to let the left hand gripe 
the barrels, the right hand the breech, and the gun lie 
obliquely across you, with the muzzle elevated in a line 
with the head, and the butt resting near or against the 
right hip. This position requires but a little effort to 
throw the gun to the shoulder; when, if by accident it 
should be discharged, the contents are thrown harmlessly 
into the air. 
In recommending you to cock both barrels of your gun, 
before you flush the game, I am aware that I run counter 
to the precepts of most writers, and that I come in colli- 
sion with some (whom I could name) who are ready to 
reprobate me at once for this advice. But let us hear both 
sides, before we condemn either. Nearly every work on 
Sporting which I have read, were produced by English 
authors; consequently their advice is restricted to the game 
of their own country. Some of these advise, that when 
the Sportsman has sprung the game, he must deliberately 
