UPLAND SHOOTING. 323 



we have much pleasme in laying before the reader the opinion 

 on this subject of one of the most experienced authorities in 

 England. We speak of Mr. Lang, the well-known gunmaker 

 of the Haymarket, to whom we are indebted for the subjoined 

 letter to that interesting inquiry : — 



" ' Having had considerable experience in breeding from some 

 of the first kennels in England, Ireland, and Scotland — amongst 

 them those of the late Duke of Gordon, Captain Ross, Mr. Os- 

 baldeston, and other celebrated sportsmen ; and having also spent 

 many years, and much money, in the endeavor to produce a supe- 

 rior description of Pointers and Setters, an account of my pro- 

 gress may be useful. I begin with my opinions concerning 

 Pointers, by stating where I consider them superior, and where 

 inferior, to Setters. 



" ' Pointers are better for Partridge* shooting, as they are 

 milder in disposition, more tractable, and closer rangers ; the 

 latter a property of all others the most desirable, if you want to 

 kill birds after the first fortnight in the season. They want also 

 less water than Setters, who often suffer much in hot weather, in 

 districts where it is not to be found. True, Pointers require 

 more walking to, to beat their ground properly ; but I am per- 

 .suaded, that if, instead of racing through the middle of a field, 

 as though they were walking for a wager, and thus giving their 

 dogs no earthly chance, young sportsmen were to go slower 

 than they generally do, they would do more justice to them- 

 selves, their dogs, and their preserves. Few Pointers can stand 

 work on the moors — where the cream of all shooting is to be 

 had — unless they have been bred, or have been regularly worked 

 on them. I know many gentlemen who greatly prefer them, 

 when so bred, to Setters; but Scotch Pointers are not so highly 



* It mii^t be remembered that this quotation is from an Enaflish book, and 

 that the English Partridge is the bird spoken of above, there hein^ no Partridge 

 in America. The argument held above, would be perfectly applicable to Quail 

 shooting, were Quail only found in the open, but as they betakw tliemselves, as 

 soon as flushed, to the densest covert, the Setter is here, more than anywhere, 

 in the ascendant. 



