TUK ANGLES AX!) H TXTSM.AX 129 



At first, then, without doubt, the Spaniel was merely 

 used as a springer for the hawk, which was subsequently 

 neglected for the net; and the propensity of the dog to pause 

 before making his dasli at game was cultivated and cher- 

 ished, by breeding and selection, until, at last, gratified by 

 observing the action of the net, he yielded his natural im- 

 pulse of springing at all, and set, or lay down, to permit the 

 net to be drawn over him. After this, the hawker trained 

 his Spaniel to set; then he cast off his hawks, which ascend- 

 ed in circles, and "waited on" until his master roused the 

 (|iiarry from its concealment, when he pounced upon it like 

 a pistol shot. 



When used either with hawks or for the net (especially 

 in the latter case), a far heavier dog answered the purpose 

 than what we call a "Highranging Setter." The net en- 

 veloped a whole covey in its meshes, and few manors would 

 allow of many coveys being taken in a day; whilst the dis- 

 entangling the birds, and securing them, allowed time for 

 the heavy dog to rest and regain his wind. 



Richard Surf let, who wrote in 1600, gives us the follow- 

 ing information. "Writing of the Field or Land Spaniel, "of 

 which sith before no author hath fully intreated," he de- 

 scribes him as "gentle, loving, and courteous to man, more 

 than any other sort of dog whatsoever": and as "loving to 

 hunt the wing of any bird, especially partridge, pheasant. 

 <[uails. rails, coots, and such like." He tells us we are "to 

 choose him by his shape, beauty, metal, and cunning hunt- 

 ing; his shape being discerned in the good composition of his 

 body, as when he hath a round, thick head, a short apse, B 

 Inn-, well-compast, and hairie eare, broad and syde lips, a 

 cleere red eie, a thick neck, broad breast, short and well-knit 

 joints, round feete, strong cleys (high dew-cley'd), good 

 round ribs, a gaunt bellie, a short, broad backe, a thick;-. 

 bushie and long-haired taile, and all his bodie generally loim 

 and well-haired. His beautie is discerned in his colour, nf 

 which the motleys or piede are the best; whether they be 



