176 THE MOOR AND THE LOCH. 



winged game. In another case, if transported to soft ground 

 amongst snipe, his ardour will be cooled on account of the 

 many points gained with little trouble. 



Such temptations made no impression on my three favourites, 

 which could be hunted anywhere and on all game, without 

 the least fear of detracting from their high qualities. 



" Few dogs, but good," has always been my motto on the 

 subject, and none of inferior grade have ever cumbered my 

 kennel, so the celebrated five described in this paper have a 

 right to be called " second to none." To rank with them will 

 be a rare attainment for any of my future ranging dogs or 

 retrievers. 



It may save a young sportsman both trouble and temper to 

 be assured on long experience that those gun-shy dogs which 

 crouch to heel in terror at the report, may, with a little care 

 and kindness, be soon cured ; while those which bolt home, or, 

 what is nearly as bad, skulk round hillocks or behind knolls, 

 are simply incurable, and may be destroyed at once. 



