60 THE AMERICAN HUNTING DOG 



that they were one of the most prominent ** na- 

 tive" southern hound strains, true representatives 

 of the pioneer's coon and deer hound. No names 

 are available, but there are a number of kennels 

 in the South to-day which breed them more or less 

 pure, and the quality seems as good as ever. The 

 ones we have seen were all large, bony, black and 

 tan hounds, with long ears. Of the J. E. Wil- 

 liams hounds more is known. Neely was one of 

 his best bitches, a black and white dog, lightly 

 ticked, large and rangy. Other good ones in his 

 pack were Bigun, Dan, Guard, Ruler, Queen, De- 

 liah and Qld Tom, and, as the stock is widely dis- 

 persed in the southern and central States and 

 shows up well in the hunting qualities of pups of 

 that blood, it is highly prized by the trapping and 

 night-hunting fraternity. The Pennsylvania 

 hounds are a blend of the old native long-eared 

 Virginia hounds, and the smaller and faster 

 Maryland hounds with much more foxhound blood 

 in them. They are principally used for coon and 

 snowshoe rabbit hunting, and are found all 

 through the mountainous parts of the State, par- 

 ticularly in the southern portion. 



When we come to the foxhound a mass of his- 

 tory and stud book records confronts us, and the 

 going is much easier. The American foxhound 



I 



