CHAP, xiv.] SKYE TERRIERS. 113 



poodle, she jumps on the back of the bloodhound bitch, and 

 having looked into her face to see how she will bear it, begins a 

 new search, but finding nothing, goes off for a game at romps 

 with the Newfoundland dog. While the bloodhound bitch, hear- 

 ing the voice of one of the children, whom she has taken a par- 

 ticular fancy to, walks off to the nursery, the setter lies dozing 

 and dreaming of grouse ; while the little terrier sits with ears 

 pricked up, listening to any distant sounds of dog or man that 

 she may hear ; occasionally she trots off on three legs to look at 

 the back door of the house, for fear any rat-hunt or fun of that 

 sort may take place without her being invited. Why do High- 

 land terriers so often nm on three legs? particularly when 

 bent on any mischief? Is it to keep one in reserve in case of 

 emergencies ? I never had a Highland terrier who did not hop 

 along constantly on three legs, keeping one of the hind legs up 

 as if to rest it. 



The Skye terrier has a great deal of quiet intelligence, learn- 

 ing to watcli his master's looks, and understand his meaning in a 

 wonderful manner. Without the determined blind courage of 

 the English bull terrier, this kind of dog shows great intrepidity 

 in attacking vermin of all kinds, though often his courage is 

 accompanied by a kind of shyness and reserve ; but when once 

 roused by being bit or scratched in its attacks on vermin, the 

 Skye terrier fights to the last, and shows a great deal of cunning 

 and generalship, as well as courage. Unless well entered, when 

 young, however, they are very apt to be noisy, and yelp and 

 bark more than fight. The terriers which I have had of this 

 kind show some curious habits, unlike most other dogs. I have 

 observed that when young they frequently make a kind of scat 

 under a bush or hedge, where they will sit for hours together, 

 crouched like a wild animal. Unlike other dogs too, they will 

 eat (though not driven by hunger) almost any thing that is given 

 them, such as raw eggs, the bones and meat of wild-ducks, or 

 wood-pigeons, and other birds, that every other kind of dog, 

 however hungry, rejects with disgust. In fact, in many par- 

 ticulars, their habits resemble those of wild animals ; they always 

 are excellent swimmers, taking the water quietly and fearlessly 

 when very young. In tracking wounded deer I have occasionally 

 seen a Skye terrier of very great use, leading his master quietly, 



I 



