28 DOMESTICATED ANIMALS 



\vix of these strains of dogs have observed the high measure 

 of individuahty which characterizes them, I have recently 

 been informed by a friend, who is a hunter and a very observ- 

 ing naturahst, of one of these variations in the pointer's 

 instinct, which may, by careful selection, possibly lead to a 

 very useful change in the habits of the animal. Hunting the 

 Virginia partridge in the tall grass on the sea-coast of Geor- 

 gia, his dog found by experience that his master could not 

 discern him when he was pointing birds, and that a yelp of 

 impatience would put up the covey before the gun was ready 

 for them. The sagacious dog, therefore, adopted the habit 

 of backing away from the point where he first fixed him- 

 self, so that he, by barking, denoted the presence of the 

 birds without giving them alarm. Although, in this first 

 instance, the action is purely rational, and is indeed good evi- 

 dence of singular discernment and contriving skill, it seems 

 likely that by careful breeding it may be brought into the 

 realm of pure instinct or inherited habit. 



The great variation in habits which is taking place in those 

 varieties of dogs which are immediately under the master's 

 eye during all the process of the chase, is easily explained by 

 the fact that these creatures are in a position to be immedi- 

 ately and constantly influenced during their most active, and 

 therefore teachable state of mind, by the will of man. A 

 pack of fox-hounds is, to a great extent, out of hand while 

 engaged in the pursuit of their prey ; but a pointer or setter, 

 even when under extreme excitement, is almost completely 

 mastered by the superior will. When we observe the extent 

 to which human intelligence is affecting the qualities of our 

 hunting-dogs, it is not surprising to note that, in almost every 

 district where there are peculiar kinds of game, varieties 



