68 
THE AMATEUR TRAINER. 
gradually getting to rear of sitting dog, and from 
this position teach the dropping to wing. 
The dog faces from you, throw bird but a few 
feet over his head so he w T ill notice same, and sim¬ 
ultaneously imitate the whirr of a quail with your 
fluttering tongue by uttering a long extended 
whir-r-r! The dog will learn to associate the whirr 
at flight of bird, etc., with order to drop with com¬ 
paratively few repetitions; but this lesson should 
be gone over quite often and from different positions, 
it saving a great deal of time later, when practicing 
on live birds afield. When the above goes fairly 
well, it becomes necessary to connect the report of 
gun, dropping, seeking and fetching, in such a way 
that the dog shall not see in what direction the dbird 
is tossed, etc. At a moment when the dog’s atten- 
tion is directed elsewhere, discharge the gun. 
Always remain standing at place of firing, and insist 
upon the dog dropping instantly at report. Remain 
quiet a few moments, then order, “Up!” “Dead 
bird” waving here and there, hunting with dog in 
direction as to him indicated. In the meantime 
drop the bird behind you into some grass or shrubs, 
whereupon again direct dog in the direction, giving 
him the benefit of the wind in nosing out the bird, 
so he will not only potter around but learn to seek 
by scent. This is important, and the trainer’s judg¬ 
ment must dictate to him the time to which the 
lesson shall be prolonged. 
