214 MODERN TRAINING. 



amusing, but the puppies are serious, and have an intelligent 

 purpose; if left to themselves, they will kill the chicken. 

 The act partakes in character of the "running cunning" of 

 greyhounds, and adds to the chances of capture. Without 

 doubt, in hunting rabbits, which are also the natural prey of 

 pointers and setters, the manner of approaching and pur- 

 suing is as successful to them as analogous methods are to 

 the greyhounds. They quickly learn that certain acts and 

 indications, as drawing, half-pointing and feathering, de- 

 note that game is present; and they learn by a little expe- 

 rience that, by co-operation in the pursuit, they are more 

 successful, as is also well established by the methods 

 adopted by. foxhounds and greyhounds. Thus by noting 

 the purposes of the dog's acts when he applies them to his 

 own purposes, their real use is known; at least it ismore rea- 

 sonable to so interpret them than as being for the use of 

 man after forcing them to subserviency. 



There are variations of the act which are purely and ad- 

 mittedly due to experience, namely, backing the gun, an 

 act more frequently observed in wild fowl shooting by re- 

 trievers. The dog observes that certain cautious acts of 

 the shooter signify the proximity of game, and thereupon 

 follows at a safe distance, drawing and backing. A varia- 

 tion of the same act, due to the memory of the use of the 

 gun and a knowledge of its purposes, is exhibited by some 

 setters and pointers; if the gun is placed to the shoulder, 

 they will back instantly; a few will back if the gun is held 

 in the hand in a position as if ready to shoot. This trait 

 was utilized at field trials occasionally on marked birds till 

 the judges became too thoroughly informed, and trickery in 

 a great measure became obsolete; however, it is only just to 

 remark that trickery was confined to the few. 



That both pointing and backing may be exhibited as an 

 act of intelligence is established by many well attested 



