310 HUNTING PRELIMINARIES. 



ability of Welsh ewes appears to be due to the fact that they 

 are wilder, and consequently more resourceful than their 

 English sisters. Besides, the ewes of some Welsh breeds 

 are furnished with horns. Experienced farmers, in whose 

 testimony I have the fullest confidence, consider that 

 lambs are not safe from foxes until they are at least 

 a month old. It is true that evil-minded dogs will kill 

 lambs, but such animals will rarely be content with one or 

 even two lambs, if they have the chance of slaying more, and 

 will also worry grown-up lambs and sheep, and will thus betray 

 themselves. A fox may kill a lamb because he is hungry, or 

 a vixen to obtain food for her cubs ; but will not, like a dog 

 kill out of pure love of mischief. Besides, when a dog takes 

 to this criminal habit, he will soon make his vice known by 

 his uncontrolled indulgence in it. Sheep dogs are much more 

 inclined than other breeds to fall into the evil habit of worry- 

 ing sheep ; because they are trained to follow, head, and drive 

 sheep, and are often taught to bite the hind legs of these 

 animals by mischievous boys who take a delight in this minor 

 form of sheep-worrying. Unfortunately, it is generally the 

 case, that the best and keenest sheep dogs are those which are 

 most liable to contract this vice. Some shepherds make a 

 practice of giving dead lambs as food to their dogs, which 

 consequently become apt to help themselves when this supply 

 runs short. Leaving dead lambs in a field, as is often done, is 

 of course an encouragement to foxes and dogs to kill live 

 ones. If a dead lamb has to be left in the open, the 

 precaution of removing the skin should always be taken. 



Respecting the curing of the vice, in dogs, of killing lambs 

 or poultry, Mr. Head, mine host of the Harborough Hotel, 

 Melton Mowbray, informs me that during his long career as 

 a large farmer in Kent, he met with several cases of the 

 successful reformation of such animals, by catching them, if 

 possible red-handed ; tying them up very short ; and beating 



