WILD-FOWL SHOOTING 



the fowl, which are almost certain to fly down past you. 

 If you accustomed a Newfoundland to this, he might, 

 from his strength and vivacity, learn the trick of break- 

 ing away when you did not wish him. The best and 

 most efficient kind of dog for this work is a cross be- 

 tween a water-dog and large terrier ; the terrier gives 

 nose, and the water-dog sagacity. I should say, that be- 

 fore you can procure one which upon trial may prove 

 worth the great trouble of thoroughly training, you may 

 have to destroy half a dozen. You should begin your 

 training when the dog is very young; and, if you find he 

 is not turning out as you could wish, seal his fate at once. 

 The dog you want must be mute as a badger, and cun- 

 ning as a fox : he must be of a most docile and biddable 

 disposition the generality of this breed are so : they are 

 also slow and heavy in their movements, and phlegmatic 

 in their temper great requisites ; but when fowl are to 

 be secured, you will find no want either of will or acti- 

 vity, on land or water. The accompanying woodcut may 

 serve to show the sort of dog I mean, being a likeness of 

 the best I ever saw. He never gives a whimper, if ever 

 so keen, and obeys every signal I make with the hand. 

 He will watch my motions at a distance, when crawling 

 after wild-fowl, ready to rush forward the moment I have 

 fired ; and in no one instance has he spoiled my shot. I 

 may mention a proof of his sagacity. Having a couple 

 of long shots across a pretty broad stream, I stopped a 

 mallard with each barrel, but both were only wounded : I 



