148 BRITISH QUADRUPEDS. 



at last, however, became so sagacious, that she stole 

 quietly behind the stall, watching her opportunity, and 

 carried off the fruit without being perceived. When 

 we found it out, we severely prohibited the practice. 



" Her talent in carrying things in this way was some- 

 times useful to the servants. We had a very old woman 

 who was fond of snuff, but not able to go for it herself. 

 The boy was not always willing, and he taught Quail 

 to be his substitute. When her box was empty, he put 

 a halfpenny into it, and gave it to Quail, who forth- 

 with carried it in her mouth to the snuff shop ; and 

 then, rising up to the counter with her fore-legs, she 

 shook her head, and rattled the halfpenny in the box. 

 This was soon understood by the shopman, who took 

 the money and filled the box, which Quail brought 

 safely back to our old woman. 



" Within doors, her utility and sagacity were equally 

 in requisition. We sat, in the winter time, in a large 

 parlour, reading round the fire, with Quail between the 

 legs of one of us, her head resting on our knees, and 

 waiting for orders, either to ring the bell, or shut the 

 door, as occasion might require. On this latter duty 

 she was often sent, as it was usually left open by who- 

 ever came in, and the room was sometimes very cold. 



" Her method was to lift up her right fore-paw (for 



