OF SELBORNE. 



121 



for finding that sort of game. But, when 

 we came to offer the bones of partridges 

 to the two Chinese dogs, they devoured 

 them with much greediness, and licked the 

 platter clean 



No sporting dogs will flush woodcocks 

 till inured to the scent and trained to the 

 sport, which they then pursue with vehe- 

 mence and transport ; but then they will 

 not touch their bones, but turn from them ^ 

 with abhorrence, even when they are 

 hungry. 



^ Now, that dogs should not be fond of the 

 bones of such birds as they are not dis- 

 posed to hunt is no wonder ; but why they 

 reject and do not care to eat their natural 

 game is not so easily accounted for, since 

 the end of hunting seems to be, that the 

 chase pursued should be eaten. Dogs again 

 will not devour the more rancid water- 

 fowls, nor indeed the bones of any wild- 

 fowls ; nor will they touch the foetid bodies 

 of birds that feed on offal and garbage : 

 and indeed there may be somewhat of pro- 

 vidential instinct in this circumstance of 



