MISCELLANEOUS NOTES 257 



capture as they sprang at his coming. He would 

 also dive into the ditches, seize a small Pike, and 

 bring it out alive. 



On one occasion a friend was out shooting with 

 "Billy" near the allotments, and had reached a 

 field where turnips were growing. The friend had a 

 mind for a turnip, being somewhat hungry after a 

 long walk, but could not reach it, owing to a high 

 bank and a ditch at the foot of it. " Fetch one ! " 

 said his master ; and the dog sprang over. Fixing 

 upon a good turnip, the dog wrung and wrenched at 

 it until he succeeded in pulling it up ; then back he 

 came with it dangling in his mouth. It happened 

 that the farmer, who was some distance off, saw the 

 dog's strange behaviour ; and shortly after, on meet- 

 ing "Billy," he expressed surprise at the incident, 

 more especially at the dog's vanishing over the bank 

 with it. 



" He's very fond of turnips ! " said the dog's master. 

 This still further bewildered the farmer; but on 

 being told the actual circumstances, he was greatly 

 amused. 



A gunner had been shooting by the Bure-side, 

 having with him an intelligent Retriever bitch. He 

 had loaded his gun, and in a moment of absent- 



