212 FKANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



white Bolton, exactly the same breed and blood. These 

 are marked similar to the blueS; except being spotted all 

 through with lemon color instead of blue." 



By the expression '^ticked" it is understood that the 

 marking is in minute spots of blue, black or lemon, on 

 white ground. 



The color of the Irish Setter, like the Gordon, is in some 

 respects in controversy, "Stonehenge" says: "The blood 

 red, or rich chestnut or mahogany color, the deep rich red — 

 not golden, not fallow, nor yellow, nor fawn — but deep 

 pure blood red, is the color of an Irish Setter of high mark. 

 This color must be unmixed with black, and tested by a 

 strong light; there must not be black shadows or waves, 

 much less black fringe to the ear, or profile to the frame. 

 There are good Irish Setters nearl}' white, red and white, 

 black-tan, or intimately crossed with black-tan, and in the 

 last case showing the distinctive marks of the cross in the 

 black tii)ping of the coat, which Irish judges consider a 

 very great fault in color." Practically the same are the ex- 

 pressions of Laverack and "Idstone," though the former 

 says, "My firm belief is that no Irish Setter exists without 

 throwing back occasionally to l)lack." lie also says that 

 there is a breed of deep red and white Irish dogs as pure 

 if not purer than the red. 



The Duke of Gordon is justly credited with having 

 brought the breed named after him to its present perfec- 

 tion, and it has ever been a question where he got his col- 

 ors from. According to some they were obtained by cross- 

 ing to a colly or shepherd bitch, but the generally accepted 

 opinion is that he introduced the red Irish blood into his 

 kennel. The best authorities agree that there can be but 

 four shades or mixed colors in the pure Gordon. First of 

 these at the present time, according to "Stonehenge," 

 "Idstone," Laverack, and all other authorities, stands the 

 !)Uuk and tan; indeed, Laverack says, "Originally, the 

 GonU^n Setters were all black and tan." 

 • It is certain, however, that the I)uk(! of Gordon wa.svery 

 iiartial to the black, white and tan, and in this connection 



