786 MANUAL OF MODERN FARRIERr. 



setters or pointers to penetrate. But where these dogs are 

 not kept, the setter will be found the most useful, as the 

 hairy feet of this dog enable it to withstand the effects of 

 brambles and thorns better. When, however, cockers and 

 springers are used for this sport, they are sometimes trained 

 to range with silence. 



Some sportsmen deem no springers so good as two or 

 three fellows with long staves, and who only wish to shoot 

 when the game is so abundant that scarcely a bush can 

 be struck but a bird is seen ; to them, pigeons thrown up 

 from a trap, rabbits started from a basket, or swallows 

 skimming along a horse-pond, are alike objects of diver- 

 sion, if a certain number of shots can be obtained without 

 any fatigue, and a certain quantum of guineas be depend- 

 ing upon each discharge. Shooters equipped with only 

 these human mongrels can neither feel the ardour nor the 

 expectation which gives spirit to the amusement, and which 

 the mettled hunting of the springer or cocker so exceedingly 

 enlivens. We cannot better express what we would say on 

 that point than in the words of the poet : — 



" See how with emulative zeal they strive, 



Thread the loose sedge, and through the thicket drive ! 



No babbling voice the bosom falsely waniis, 



Or swells the panting heart with false alarms, 



Till all at once their coral tongues proclaim 



The secret refuge of the lurking game. 



Swift is their course, no lengthen' d warnings now 



Space to collect their scatter'd thoughts allow, 



No wary pointer shows with cautious eyes 



Where from his russet couch the bird shall rise : 



Perhaps, light running o'er the mossy ground, 



His devious steps your sanguine hopes confound. 



Or, by the tangled branches hid from sight. 



Sudden he tries his unexpected flight. 



