472 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



spaniel happened to be mute he was hunted with a bell 

 around his neck, as is sometimes done with the setter 

 when used in covert. In the present day a very fash- 

 ionable breed (the Clumber) is invariably mute; but as 

 these dogs are chiefly used in aid of the battue, there 

 is not the same necessity for them to give notice of 

 their approach as in the case of spaniels used either 

 in wild pheasant shooting or for cocks, hares or rab- 

 bits. It will, therefore, appear that for every kind of 

 covert shooting but the battue we require a strong, use- 

 ful spaniel, capable of bearing exposure to the weather, 

 and neither too large for the runs nor too small to 

 bear work. Added to these qualities we want an ex- 

 quisite nose, and a musical but not noisy tongue, which 

 is all the more valuable if it will distinguish by its note 

 the various kinds of game." 



While giving tongue might charm the ear of the 

 English sportsman, and indicate the kind of birds ahead 

 of the spaniel, in this country, with its rough, irreg- 

 ular coverts, much of which are in the condition that 

 nature's hand shaped them, a noisy dog is a detriment 

 to the sport. 



As to the advantages of flushing, there are many 

 qualifications. Considered in its proper relation as a 

 spaniel trait, the spaniel must be trained to work well 

 within gunshot of the sportsman. He also must con- 

 duct his efforts at all times with a reasonable degree 

 of steadiness, to the end that the gun shall constantly 

 have favorable opportunity. This intelligent co- 



