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). Hecontinues: “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 
