The Spaniel. 407 



No doubt the Spaniel Club has done some good 

 in defining the varieties, describing them, and in 

 looking after their interests at shows and exhibi- 

 tions, but they have entirely neglected his working 

 qualifications. At one period it was thought field 

 trial competitions would have been provided, but the 

 difficulties of arranging them satisfactorily must 

 always be in the way of such gatherings. Personally 

 I scarcely see how spaniel trials could be conducted, 

 for in reality most of those who hold large kennels 

 of spaniels for sporting purposes use them as teams. 

 In fact the modern human beater the fustian-clad 

 yokel, with a long and stout stick and a Stentorian 

 cry of "Cock! cock! cock!" has long ago 

 pretty well ousted the merry cockers or the more 

 staid Clumber for beating the coverts ; certainly an 

 innovation not at all a desirable one. 



There is no prettier sight than to see a team of 

 well-trained spaniels drop instantaneously to com- 

 mand or to gun fire. In reality covert work is the 

 proper thing for spaniels to do. Some years ago, 

 when the Knipe Scar and other coursing meetings 

 were held over the Lowther estates of the Earl of 

 Lonsdale, the coverts were occasionally beaten by 

 an excellent team of liver and white spaniels. It was 

 pleasant to see them driving their game out of the 

 thick undergrowth of brambles and furze. When 



