MR. DAY AND THE DODO 197 



calling is pointed out by Sir Walter Gilbey : 

 ' The man who has devoted himself exclusively to 

 the production of one class of horse cannot rid him- 

 self of the prejudices he has necessarily formed; he 

 cannot put aside his bias in favour of a horse suitable 

 for sport.' It is natural, 



A great number of the authorities to which I refer 

 show that Mr. Day is wrong in making such a 

 comparison with the dodo, and that the Arab, if 

 wisely used, would greatly benefit the thoroughbred 

 in everything that makes the horse valuable, save 

 only with regard to half-mile sprints, and it is by 

 no means certain that he would not improve the 

 racer even for that. 



It would be impossible to accept the accuracy of 

 Mr. Day's assertion about the dodo, even for sprint 

 racing, without trial and scientific selection for 

 three or four or more crossings, which has not 

 been attempted, because no desire has been shown 

 to accept such a course, for the breeder has been 

 too utterly impatient. He wants to gamble with 

 his two-year-old, and cannot afford delay. This 

 is notorious. 



There is more reason in the Bedouin, who will 

 not have his pure breed spoiled by the impure 

 English thoroughbred at any price. He is a better 

 judge of horse-flesh than a sprinting trainer — i.e., of 

 horse-flesh for use, and not of horse-flesh for 

 gambling. The Bedouin's life depends upon his 

 horse — not merely for one or two short gallops, but 



