4<5 CASSELL'S POPULAR NATURAL HISTORY. 



became such an adept in theft as to coininit it without being found out; but now thi.s perversion 

 uf canine sagacity was detected, and its further employment was severely prohibited. 



Tlio family sat, in the winter time, in a large parlour, reading around the fire, with Quail between 

 tlie legs of (me of them, her head resting on the knees, and waiting for orders to ring the bell, or shut 

 the door, as occasion might require. The latter was often needed, as the room was sometimes very 

 eold, and the door usually left open by whoever went in. Quail's method was to lift up her right fore 

 paw for she had actually a human preference for the use of the right hand and then to push the 

 door forward till the lock clicked. 



On one occasion she could not move the door, and, after repeated trials, she returned with the 

 peculiar whine by which she expressed embarrassment. It appeared that the room was smoking, and 

 the servant had, therefore, opened the door, and placed a smoothing iron against it to keep it so. 

 Quail pondered the case for a time, with her head on one side, when, as if she saw how the obstruction 

 occurred, she made a dash at the smoothing iron, and, having dragged it away, pushed with both her 

 feel against the door, shut it, and returned rejoicing at her success. Similar obstructions were placed 

 at the door, but Quail suffered no further embarrassment; she evidently knew all about it. When a 

 difficulty arose, she barked at the cause of it, and shook it when removed, as if to express her 

 displeasure at the trouble it occasioned. 



" Of all the inmates of our family," says Dr. Walsh, " Quail was most attached to my mother, 

 who returned her good will. She had sat for her portrait, and afterwards gone to visit a friend for a 

 short time, and Quail seemed very uneasy at her absence. The picture, which was a strong likeness, 

 was sent home, and, before it was hung up, it stood on the sofa where my mother used to sit. I could 

 not account one day for the boisterous joy of Quail in the dining-room ; but, on looking round, I 

 saw that she had recognised the picture, and was wagging her tail, and frisking about, as she always 

 did to express her joy, frequently looking up, and licking the face a mark of affection she tried to 

 pay to those she was fond of. When the picture was hung up, she never failed to notice it when 

 she entered the room, and lay before it on the carpet for some time, gazing at it intently ; and this 

 practice she continued till my mother's return, and the original diverted her from the representation. 

 The ingenious artist who drew it frequently declared that he considered this recognition the highest 

 compliment that could be paid him." 



A dog, named Tan, was an old parlour favourite, when a partridge, answering to the name of 

 Bill, became also domesticated in the same family. There was some danger in placing them together, 

 for Tan was a lively and spirited spaniel, very apt to torment the cats, and bark at any exciting 

 object. But the experiment was tried, and Bill, being very tame, did not feel much alarm at its 

 natural foe, and gradually all shyness wore off, and a warm friendship was established between them. 

 When the hour of dinner arrived, the partridge invariably flew on its mistress's shoulders, emitting 

 the shrill note familiar to sportsmen ; the spaniel leaped about with equal excitement, and a dish of 

 bread and milk being placed on the floor, the two fed in perfect amity together. The meal being 

 ended, the spaniel would retire to a corner to sleep, while the partridge would nestle between its legs, 

 and refrain from stirring till its friend awoke. Whenever the dog went out with its mistress, the 

 bird displayed the greatest uneasiness till its return ; and once, when the partridge was accidentally 

 shut up through the day, the dog searched for it about the house, with a mournful cry. At length, 

 the spaniel was stolen ; from that time, the partridge refused all food, and on the seventh day died 

 from grief. 



A life of indulgence and luxury is enjoyed by some of these animals ; and therefore, while we 

 notice those of larger bulk, we must not overlook 



" The Hrtle dogs and all- 

 Tray, Blanche, and Sweetheart." 



" We have heard," says Mr. Broderip, " the little French dogs libelled as being useless ; but they 

 very winning ways, and gain upon you until they almost become little friends. Very fine, neat 

 limbs, very high foreheads, prominent, expressive eyes, long ears, which they erect, so as to look a little 

 like fennees ; alight-curled tail, and a very close, fine coat, are their characteristics. The true- 

 bred and handsome ones show a great deal of blood. They are most intelligent and affectionate, 

 and understand in a very short time whether the conversation relates to them, though not 





