UPLAND SHOOTING. 
181 
lignt. He must be prepared to back his fellow, oftener at 
the word “Toho!” than at sight of his point; for so difficult is 
the covert in which his duty is done, that I have more than 
once seen three several dogs standing within a square of six 
yards, on one bird, not one of which suspected his comrade’s 
presence. Again, he must be broke to drop where he is when 
the shot is discharged, instantaneously, and to lie there until 
commanded to “ Seek deadwhen he must draw up to the 
killed bird, point it, and at the word “ Fetch,” perform the 
‘duty of a retriever. 
This it is, which makes a really fine, and thoroughly broke, 
Woodcock dog so nearly invaluable. 
Shooting as we do in this country in thickets overrun 
with vines, creepers, and cat-briars, to which the densest cop¬ 
pice or covert I ever have seen in England, was open-work, 
and that too, when every tree, plant and shrub is covered 
with its most luxuriant summer foliage, it is evident that a 
dog cannot be visible half the time at a distance of ten paces; 
and that it is only by his keeping in constant motion to and fro, 
close before us, that we can in the least make out his where¬ 
about. As it is, with the best broke dogs, it is a common thing 
to lose them altogether, though perhaps but fifteen yards off, 
when pointing steadily, and to be compelled either to call them 
off, or to waste half the day in looking for them. 
Another great difficulty in summer Cock-shooting, over 
Setters, is this, that when the bird is pointed, as he almost 
universally is, from the outside of a brake inward, it is almost 
impossible to get a fair shot at him, unless you do so unsports¬ 
manlike a thing as to hie your dog on, and make him flush his 
own bird. This cannot be done with impunity for any length 
of time, even with the best and steadiest dogs ; for when once 
hey have become used to this irregular mode of proceeding, 
although they may stand stock still, and shew as staunchly as 
possible, under their master’s eye, until desired to “ hie on !” 
no sooner will they find themselves pointing out of sight, than 
they will follow what is surely the bent of their natural instinct, 
