100 NATURAL HISTORY OF THE DOG. 



In those days, duck-hunting was a favorite amusement ; i 

 used to be practised in the " brackish canal," near the north 

 wall, and the brown Water-spaniel was found superior to all 

 other dogs at this sport ; further, he was soft-mouihed, and 

 did not injure the duck when he succeeded in capturing her, 

 consequently, the same unfortunate bird answered for a 

 second hunt. Among many other improvements that have 

 characterized the present generation, I may observe that this 

 inhuman sport is no longer permitted. 



THE COCKER 



Is in appearance a diminutive land-spaniel, but with a 

 shorter muzzle, a more rounded head, and longer ears. He 

 is a lively, amusing little dog, and a great favorite with the 

 fair sex. The use of the Cocker is to spring woodcocks and 

 pheasants in copses and thickets which larger dogs cannot 

 enter. 



THE SPRINGER 



Is the same with the cocker, but of somewhat larger size 

 and heavier form. He is less lively in his movements, takes 

 matters more coolly, and can, consequently, better stand a 

 hard day's work. 



THE BLENHEIM SPANIEL. 



Blenheim Castle, near Woodstock, Oxfordshire, was formerly 

 the residence of King Ethelred, and since that, of Henry II., 

 as also the birthplace of several princes of the royal line of 

 England ; subsequently the prison of Queen Elizabeth, 

 during a portion of Queen Mary's reign ; and was after- 

 wards granted by Queen Anne to John Duke of Marlborough, 

 for obtaining illustrious victories over the French and Ba- 

 varians, at the village of Blenheim, in Suabia, A. D. 1704. 

 In this superb mansion has been preserved, for the last 

 century and a half, the small red and white spaniel or com- 

 forter, the " Pyrame" of Buffon the Blenheim Spaniel of 

 the present day. 



THE KING CHARLES SPANIEL 



Is distinguished by the shortness of his muzzle the round 

 and bullet-like shape of his head the prominence of his 

 S ye the length of his ears, and his color, which must be 



