482 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



over, in the ancient writings there are conflicting opin- 

 ions on this point. 



In 'The Dogs of the British Islands" (edition of 

 1867) Stonehenge, from such evidence as was available, 

 reached a vague conclusion, as follows : "As some dif- 

 ference of opinion appears to exist with regard to 

 Setters, we have determined thoroughly to satisfy our- 

 selves as to their origin and best form, and we have 

 called the best authorities to our assistance." His 

 ipse dixit is that the Romans, after the invasion, "in- 

 troduced the Land Spaniel, if not the Water Dog also, 

 into this country" (England). He continues: "When 

 used either with hawks or for the net (especially in 

 the latter case), a far heavier dog answered the pur- 

 pose than what we call a 'High-ranging Setter.' The 

 net enveloped a whole covey in its meshes, and few 

 manors would allow of many coveys being taken in 

 a day; while the disentangling the birds and securing 

 them allowed time for a heavy dog to rest and regain 

 his wind." This is a labored, far-fetched attempt to 

 account for the origin of the setter. All experienced 

 trainers know that any kind of dog that will hunt can 

 be trained to drop to shot, wing, order or signal, and 

 teaching a dog to drop to scent or sight of the birds 

 is not a difficult educational feat to encompass. But 

 Stonehenge states that a far heavier and less enduring 

 dog than the modern setter was used for the net, thus 

 proving so far as he proves anything at all unlike- 

 ness, instead of likeness. 



Stonehenge candidly confessed that he personally did 



