WILD SPORTS OF THE HIGHLANDS 



out her being invited. Why do Highland terriers so often 

 run on three legs? particularly when bent on any mischief? 

 Is it to keep one in reserve in case of emergencies? I never 

 had a Highland terrier who did not hop along constantly 

 on three legs,keepingone of the hind legs up as if to rest it. 

 The Skye terrier has a great deal of quiet intelligence, 

 learning to watch his master's looks, and understand his 

 meaning in a wonderful manner. Without the determined 

 blind courage of the English bull terrier, this kind of dog 

 shows great intrepidity in attacking vermin of all kinds, 

 though often his courage is accompanied by a kind of shy- 

 ness and reserve; but when once roused by being bit or 

 scratched in its attacks on vermin, the Skye terrier fights 

 to the last, and shows a great deal of cunning and general- 

 ship, as well as courage. Unless well entered, when young, 

 however, they are very apt to be noisy, and yelp and bark 

 more than fight. The terriers which I have had of this kind 

 show some curious habits, unlike most other dogs. I have 

 observed that when young they frequently make a kind of 

 seat under a bush or hedge, where they will sit for hours to- 

 gether, crouched like a wild animal. Unlike other dogs too, 

 they will eat(though notdriven byhunger)almost anything 

 that is given them, such as raw eggs, the bones and meat 

 of wild-ducks, or wood-pigeons, and other birds, that every 

 other kind of dog, however hungry, rejects with disgust. In 

 fact, in many particulars, their habits resemble those of wild 

 animals; they always are excellent swimmers, taking the 

 water quietly and fearlessly when very young. In tracking 

 wounded deer I have occasionally seen a Skye terrier of 

 very great use, leading his master quietly, and with great 



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