THE PRESERVATION OF GAME 171 



extent, a parallel, but the habits under domestication 

 must be considered in relation to those of their wild 

 relatives. The main object of killing in wild animals 

 of the dog tribe and in the larger cats is to obtain food; 

 but, it must be admitted, the lust of blood has grown, 

 and many wild creatures of predatory habits will slay 

 far more than they require to assuage their hunger. To 

 kill the edible prey becomes instinctive, almost reflex, and 

 doubtless the habit increases skill, makes the meal more 

 sure when it is required; preservation for future supplies 

 does not enter into their primitive economy. Domestica- 

 tion has not entirely eliminated the hunting spirit in 

 most dogs, though certain debased varieties have through 

 ages of pandering become lethargic and effete. The well- 

 trained sporting dog, though retaining the hunting spirit, 

 has lost desire to feed upon its prey, and in certain breeds 

 man has practically eliminated the wish to kill; setters 

 and pointers hunt and enjoy the hunt, but the killing is 

 left to their masters; the well- trained retriever will bring 

 an unbroken egg or an uninjured rabbit at command. 

 Yet even in the best dogs survives the ancient craving, 

 and now and again lapses occur. I knew a small West 

 Highlander which was ruining the morals of a young 

 setter by frequently taking it off for days at a spell to 

 chase the deer on a Scottish forest ; punishment, when the 

 worn and jaded pair returned, had an effect which lasted 

 until the shame was forgotten, and that was all. W. H. 

 Hudson's story of " a dog in exile " is a most interesting 

 study of canine psychology. " With this excellence," 

 he says, after describing what the sheep-killing exiled 

 retriever could do, " there was the innate capacity to go 

 wrong, a sudden reversion to the irresponsible wild dog 

 the devilry, to keep to human terms, that sent him into 

 exile and made him at the last so interesting and pathetic 

 a figure." 



