153 



THE COCKER, OR SPRINGER. 



The cocker is a lively little dog, very expert in raising wood- 

 cocks and snipes from their haunts in woods and marshes, 

 through which it ranges with indefatigable perseverance. I am 

 informed that it is this kind of dog which is employed in decoy- 

 ing wild ducks, as mentioned by Pennant in the following 

 passage : 



" It often happens that the wild-fowl are in such a state of 

 sleepiness and dozing, that they will not follow the decoy-ducks. 

 Use is then generally made of a dog, who is taught his lesson : 

 he passes backwards and forwards between the reed- screens, in 

 which are little holes, both for the decoy-man to see and for 

 the little dog to pass through. The wild-fowl, not choosing to 

 be interrupted, advance towards this small animal, that they 

 may drive him away. The dog, all this time, by direction of 

 the decoy-man, plays among the screens of reeds, nearer and 

 nearer to the purse-net ; till at last, perhaps, the decoy-man 

 appears behind a screen, and the wild-fowl, not daring to pass 

 by him in return, not being able to escape upwards on account 

 of the net- covering, rush on into the purse-net. Sometimes 

 the dog will not attract their notice unless a red handkerchief 

 or something very singular, is put about him." * 



* British Zoology (1768), vol. ii. p. 465. 



