THE DIVING DOG. 277 



water, almost invariably suffer from deafness and rheuma- 

 tism, or it may be from both ailments ; and, as a con- 

 sequence, are worn out before their proper time. 



Besides, if the water be at all deep, not one dog in a 

 thousand, whether pointer or retriever, can properly 

 recover a wounded duck, or capture one that is unhurt. 

 Such, nevertheless, are to be found. Many years ago, when 

 at Haparanda, at the northern extremity of the Gulf of 

 Bothnia, I was informed by the commandant, Captain 

 Bergenstrale, that he then possessed a dog which assisted 

 him to fully the half of his bag ; for when the duck, 

 whether wounded or not, dived to the bottom, he would 

 immediately follow, often remaining under water a con- 

 siderable time, and, on again coming to the surface, 

 generally have the bird in his mouth. He was most 

 successful, the Captain said, when the water was clear 

 and the sun shining bright, being then better able to follow 



O O 7 O 



the movements of the quarry. The dog in question was, I 

 understood, sixteen years old, Avhich rendered his per- 

 formances still more remarkable. 



The number of old Mallard-Drakes shot by me during 

 the autumn was very small ; but this is of easy explana- 

 tion. In the months of July and August, as is well known 

 to sportsmen, these birds are in a state of moult,* and, 

 for the most part, conceal themselves in the thickest 

 rushes, where one may almost trample on them before they 

 can be induced to move. Very frequently several lie 

 near together, not for the sake of companionship, but 

 from the nature of the locality. I was, indeed, assured by 



" It is remarkable what a great change then takes place in the appear- 

 ance of the old Mallard-Drake. His usual brilliant plumage has entirely 

 vanished, and lie lias assumed so nearly the garb of the Duck, that were it 

 not for his superior si/.e, he might readily be mistaken for her. Few people, 

 indeed, are at that time able to distinguish one from the other. 



