DOGS 471 
work of the spaniel fits in admirably, assuming that 
game is present in reasonable abundance. 
The spaniel’s working methods, natural and educa- 
tional, are quite distinct from those of the pointer and 
setter. The two latter hunt mute, and, having found 
the birds, indicate the find by pointing them, the flush 
being left to the shooter’s choice of time and manner. 
The spaniel trails the birds to their place of conceal- 
ment, and, the opportunity offering, presses them to 
a flush without any attempt at pointing, if he acts 
properly; hence the term “springer.” 
Some spaniels whimper, babble, or give tongue mer- 
rily while trailing; others work mute. Giving tongue 
at all is an objectionable trait, as in upland shooting 
man and dog should work as silently as possible. This 
is especially important when the birds are wild and 
seek safety in flight at the slightest alarm. Thus the 
need of silence in upland shooting would seem to be 
quite obvious. 
However, this is contrary to some of the traditions 
and usages governing the use of the spaniel afield. 
Stonehenge (J. H. Walsh), in his work “Stonehenge 
on the Dog” (1873), in respect to this matter speaks 
as follows: “A good and somewhat musical tongue 
was, by the old school of sportsmen, considered a desid- 
eratum, in order not only to give notice that the dog is 
on game, but also the particular kind which he is 
‘questing,’ and which many good spaniels enable their 
masters to distinguish by a variation in their notes. 
Formerly this was thought so important that if a 
