The Collie or Sheep Dog. 113 



As to the sagacity of the show collie, Mr. Rum- 

 ball, of Birmingham, a well-known admirer of the 

 breed, had a good-looking specimen that could play 

 cards with considerable success. The common 

 game of "Nap" was the one at which the dog 

 excelled, and, indeed, he became so proficient as 

 to be able to hold his own with anyone whom his 

 owner challenged. I believe he played the game 

 best when under the orders of Mr. F. Hinks, the 

 well-known breeder of bull terriers, the sign by 

 which it knew what cards to take, being a slight 

 and almost imperceptible snap of the fingers. 

 This dog, after being tried by a would-be purchaser, 

 was sold to him for ^25, on account of these 

 accomplishments at cards. 



There was a troupe of remarkably clever perform- 

 ing collies at the Westminster Aquarium, London, 

 towards the close of 1893. These were all handsome 

 sable and white dogs, doubtless bred from bench 

 winners. After, going through various leaping feats, 

 walking whilst erect on their hind legs, on rolling 

 barrels, skipping, &c., one of them pushed on to 

 the stage a fire escape. This was placed against 

 the wall of a house supposed to be on fire. A child 

 in its night-dress rushed out of the window and 

 down the escape ; the dog then ascended the ladder, 

 went in at the window, and shortly re-appeared with 



I 



