296 FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



If you accustomed a Newfoundland dog to this, he might, from 

 his strength and vivacity, learn the trick of breaking away when 

 you did not wish him. The best and most efficient kind of 

 dog for this work, is a cross between a water-dog and large 

 terrier ; the terrier gives him nose, the water dog coolness and 

 steadiness. I should say, that before you can procure one 

 which, upon trial, may prove worth the great tz'ouble of tho- 

 roughly training, you may have to destroy half-a-dozen. You 

 should begin your training when the dog is very young, and if 

 you find out he is not turning out as you wish, seal his fate at 

 once. The dog you want must be as mute as a badger, and 

 cunning as a fox. He must be of a most docile and biddable 

 disposition — the generality of this breed are so. They are also 

 slow and heavy in their movements, and phlegmatic in their 

 temper — great requisites ; but when fowl are to be secured, 

 you will find no want either of will or activity, on land or water." 

 Our Highland sportsman then proceeds, in allusion to the sub- 

 ject of a wood-cut illustrating his work, which he states to be 

 the best he ever saw, " he never gives a whimper, if ever so 

 keen, and obeys every signal I make with my hand. He will 

 watch my motions at a distance, when crawling after wild-fowl, 

 ready to rush forward the moment I have fired ; and never in 

 one instance has he spoiled my shot. I may mention a proof" 

 of his sagacity. Having a couple of long shots across a pretty 

 broad stream, I stopped a Mallard with each barrel, but both 

 were only wounded. I sent him across for the birds ; he at- 

 tempted at first to bring them both, but one always struggled 

 out of his mouth ; he then laid down one, intending to bring the 

 other ; but whenever he attempted to cross to me, the bird left 

 fluttered into the water ; he immediately returned again, laid 

 down the first on the shore, and recovered the other ; the first 

 now fluttered away, but he instantly secured it, and standing 

 over them both, seemed to cogitate for a moment ; then, althousrh 

 on any other occasion he never ruffles a feather, he deliberately 

 killed one, brought over the other, and then returned for the 

 dead bird." 



