THE AMERICAN FOXHOUND 39 



proving very satisfactory. Mr. Walker is an experienced, practi- 

 cal sportsman, has a fine pack of clogs and is doing a great deal 

 toward improving the foxhound in Kentucky. 



From 1867 to 1890 we have had in our kennel tlie following 

 dogs, of the pure Birdsong, Maupin and Walker strains, whicli 

 we begged, borrowed, and bought for tJie purpose of improving 

 our pack: Maupin's Minnie, Mattie, Lead, Couchman, Bob, 

 Dick, Milton, Blucher, Mac, Raiby (called Redhead), Tip, 

 Waxey, One Eyed King, Haefer's Dick, Rock, Venus, Lee, 

 Mercy, Brenda. Birdsong's Chase, Bee, George, Lightfoot, 

 Delta, Rip, Fannie, Lee, Forest, Emma, Hampton, Ward. 

 Walker's Buckner, Scott, Trooper. 



General Maupin, the Walkers, Sam Martin, Gentrys, Whites, 

 and others of that section, were honest in their belief that Fox, 

 Rifle, Marth, Queen, Tennessee Lead, Tickler, Doc, Kate, Top, 

 Toe-String, Minnie, and other famous dogs of their packs, were 

 superior to any dogs of tlieir day. Mr. Birdsong, the Wards, 

 Robinsons, Ridgleys, Jacksons, and others, of Georgia, were 

 equally as confident that Hodo, July, Longstreet, Flora, Forest, 

 Echo, Hampton, Madcap, Lightfoot, Fannie, and others of their 

 packs, were the peers of any living dogs. Mr. Waddy and Tom 

 Ford, of Shelby county, Ky., thought as well of their One Eyed 

 King, Tip, Josephine, Venus, and others. W. S. Walker, whose 

 letter is given, states his opinion as to the merits of Trooper. 



We differ from some men who make the bold assertion that 

 they have the best dogs on earth. Because a favorite dog runs 

 in the lead of a certain pack does not warrant his admirers in 

 stating he can beat all alike. Dogs are like race-horses; they 

 are the best until they meet their superiors. The true sportsman 

 is never so prejudiced as not to admit that there may be other 

 dogs equal to his own, and that by crossing on such dogs his 

 strain would be improved. 



BIRDSONG AND MAUPIN DOQS. 



From "The American Foxhound," by H. C. Trigg. 



Of the men who have passed from the stage of life, none de- 

 serve the gratitude of the lovers of the chase more than George 

 L. F. Birdsong, of Georgia, and General G. W. Maupin, of 

 Madison county, Kentucky. 



