472 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 
spaniel happened to be mute he was hunted with a bell 
around his neck, as is sometimes done with the setter 
when used in covert. In the present day a very fash- 
ionable breed (the Clumber) is invariably mute; but as 
these dogs are chiefly used in aid of the battue, there 
is not the same necessity for them to give notice of 
their approach as in the case of spaniels used either 
in wild pheasant shooting or for cocks, hares or rab- 
bits. It will, therefore, appear that for every kind of 
covert shooting but the battue we require a strong, use- 
ful spaniel, capable of bearing exposure to the weather, 
and neither too large for the runs nor too small to 
bear work. Added to these qualities we want an ex- 
quisite nose, and a musical but not noisy tongue, which 
is all the more valuable if it will distinguish by its note 
the various kinds of game.” 
While giving tongue might charm the ear of the 
English sportsman, and indicate the kind of birds ahead 
of the spaniel, in this country, with its rough, irreg- 
ular coverts, much of which are in the condition that 
nature’s hand shaped them, a noisy dog is a detriment 
to the sport. 
As to the advantages of flushing, there are many 
qualifications. Considered in its proper relation as a 
spaniel trait, the spaniel must be trained to work well 
within gunshot of the sportsman. He also must con- 
duct his efforts at all times with a reasonable degree 
of steadiness, to the end that the gun shall constantly 
have favorable opportunity. This intelligent co- 
