180 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
persecuted in past seasons as to have been entirely deserted 
by the breeders, here they must be found. In this country 
Woodcock are shot altogether over Setters or Pointers—during 
the whole sixteen years, which I have passed in the States, 1 
have known but two sportsmen who used the Cocking Spaniel, 
though that is unquestionably the proper dog over which to 
shoot the bird—and it is obvious that there are many objections 
to be made to these, in their places, noble animals, as used for 
covert-shooting. The proper sphere for both Pointer and Set¬ 
ter is the open—the wide, waving, heathery moors, the grassy 
Snipe-bog, the rich russet stubbles, from which the harvests 
have been garnered to the farmer’s heart-content. To range as 
wide, as highly, and as dashingly as they can, is their proper 
vocation, and their highest merit. To work fairly and in full 
view of their master and of one another, giving plentiful note 
of the vicinity of game by their actions to the eye, but none to 
the ear, is the province for which nature destined them, as all 
their qualities demonstrate. 
In order to suit them for wood-shooting at all, one of these 
qualities has necessarily to be drilled out of them, by early and 
incessant rating, watching and admonition—I mean their speed, 
range and dash. 
The highest merit a thorough-bred and thoroughly-broke 
Setter or Pointer can possess in Europe, on his proper ground, 
and in pursuit of his proper game, is never, unless he be at a 
dead point, or down to charge, to be within five hundred yards 
of his master, always beating his ground, head up and stern 
down, at full gallop. Here in covert at least, where nine-tenths 
of his work is done, his highest merit is never to be twenty 
yards distant from him. 
He must unlearn his own nature, and acquire that of the 
Spaniel; in so far, at least, as to substitute unwearied industry, 
short, continually-succeeding turns, and the closest possible 
quartering of the ground, for his natural rating gallop. His eye 
must be constantly on his master, his ear ever alive to his 
slightest whistle, which he must obey with the speed of 
