142 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



brought to the scent until more than sixteen hours after 

 the man had carried away the sheep. 



THE POINTER. 



This dog, with its stout limbs, blunt muzzle, stunted 

 tail, and smooth hair, is the sportsman's companion. 

 It is taught to discover game, and it practises what it 

 has learned with great attention and steadiness. Its 

 smell being very acute, it gently approaches the spot 

 where the game lies, at length it stops, and fixes its 

 eyes steadily upon it, with one foot commonly raised a 

 little from the ground, and the tail extended in a straight 

 line. When the birds run, the dog observes their mo- 

 tions, steals cautiously after them, preserving the same 

 attitude, and when they stop, it is again steady. 



Great sagacity has often been displayed by these ani- 

 mals. Thus a sportsman, on returning home, was accus- 

 tomed to discharge his piece at magpies and crows, when 

 the dog always kept behind at a little distance, that 

 he might not frighten the birds. On one occasion a 

 magpie, perched on the top of a large oak, escaped the 

 sportsman's notice ; but the dog was far more attentive. 



