454 Tus BOOK OF THE Doc. 



between some of these Cockers and the small Water-dog, both in figure and disposition, there is 

 little doubt but they may have been produced originally by a cross between the Springing Spaniel 

 and the latter." This opinion is confirmed by a statement made by the same writer later on, in 

 which he says that, " The particular breed of dog passing under this denomination (Water-dog) 

 differs materially from the smaller sort distinguished by the appellation of Water Spaniel. . . . 

 These dogs are of different colours, though of the same shape and formation, and those who 

 profess themselves connoisseurs in the art of canine discrimination go so far as to fix the criterion 

 of superiority and excellence upon the colour itself in the following way. The perfect black is 

 affirmed to be the best and hardiest, the least susceptible of fatigue, hunger, and danger ; the 

 spotted, or pied, quickest of scent and sagacity; and the liver-colour the most alert and expeditious 

 in swimming. . . . The head is rather round ; the nose short ; the ears long, broad, and 

 pendulous ; his eyes full, lively, and solicitously attracting ; his neck thick and short ; his shoulders 

 broad ; his legs straight, his hind-quarters round and firm ; his pasterns strong and dew-clawed ; 

 his fore-feet long, but round, with his hair adhering to his body in natural elastic short curls, 

 neither loose, long, or shaggy, the former being considered indicative of constitutional strength, 

 the latter of bodily weakness or hereditary debility." 



As Taplin so carefully describes the Water-dog, to whom he devotes a considerable portion of 

 his large work, the following quotation referring to the then method of water-fowl shooting with 

 the Water-dog may be read with interest : 



"Amidst the various vacuities, clefts, and recesses, with which rocks abound, such are selected 

 as, from their situation at certain angles, points, and prominences, hold forth the most promising 

 prospect of success in the undertaking. In each of these, but not at a less distance than one 

 quarter or a third of a mile from each other, huts are so curiously constructed with sods, inter- 

 mixed with loam, marl, and other applicable articles, as to form when finished a seeming part of 

 the rock itself. To each hut is a door, a shelf within for the convenience of depositing provisions 

 and ammunition, as well as three circular openings of four inches diameter, to the right, left, and 

 in the centre, for the discovery of the fowl in their approach, and the subsequent discharge of the 

 gun when they fortunately happen to veer within shot. This sport (if to the more happy and 

 enlightened part of the world it may be termed so) seems to require a much greater degree of 

 patience and philosophy than any other recreation or amusement in which the dog and gun are 

 individually or conjointly concerned. In this sequestered situation, remote from every human 

 eye and association, accompanied only by his faithful dog, the adventurer takes his seat as near as 

 can be to the very dawn of day, well knowing that every flattering prospect of his day's success 

 depends much more upon the fluctuating favour of the elements than upon any energetic 

 endeavours of his own. 



" The gannet or Soland goose, and the larger kind of gull in all its varieties, are the 

 principal objects to which he directs his attention, for the more probable procuration of which 

 he silently continues seated, and most watchfully attentive to the apertures in the front and 

 sides of his hut, through which he can perceive the approach of the game in whatever direction 

 it may appear. The guns for use in this service are seldom shorter than from five to six feet 

 in the barrel, and with swan-shot are destructive to a great distance ; upon their coming within 

 reach of which the gunner has his choice of the apertures for the advantage of better aim, and 

 in moderate weather is so expert at the practice that the deadly level is seldom made in vain. 

 Upon the discharge of the gun, the ear.iestly sagacious and impatient animal instantly sallies 

 from the hut, and in one moment, catching sight of the bird and the direction in which it is 



