AND AMERICAN RURAL SPORTS. 
95 
is well established, being a distinct breed in Spain, Por- 
tugal, and France. 
A well-formed Setter, is certainly a beautiful Dog; his 
body is well proportioned; his long, flowing hair gives a 
softness of expression to the whole figure, — the pendant 
and silken ears hang gracefully beside the head, which 
become more interesting when in playful mood, or excited 
by the words or actions of his master, he elevates and moves 
them in token of fondness and respect, — while the benignant 
countenance bespeaks that generosity so prominent in the 
Newfoundland Dog; and the tail, the prettiest ornament 
of the animal, completes the finish of the whole. The 
Pointer is neat and cleanly, but does not possess the grace 
and playfulness of the Setter. 
I do not think there is much difference in the inherent 
properties of these two breeds; but there does exist, some- 
times, a difference, — and this, as has been stated before, is 
caused more by. local circumstances than any thing else. 
My choice of one in preference to the other, would be 
governed altogether by the latter, although the best Dogs 
I ever owned, or indeed ever saw, were Setters. 
When I choose a Dog, I always select one with a broad 
head — black eyes, and nose, if possible — a nose full and 
blunt, not straight, but somewhat sunk between the eyes — 
a high forehead, and a broad chest, — and if he should in- 
cline to be bony and lank, I make no exception. His 
colour should be mostly white, with a proportion of dark 
spots, as he can be seen at a much greater distance through 
shrubbery or high grass. The fashionable colour now pre- 
valent, is the brown and yellow Dogs; but I think their 
popularity will subside, in consequence of the difficulties 
before mentioned. I do not like the black Dogs, — they look 
well enough for companions, but they are generally head- 
strong and savage; my dislike, however, may be no proof that 
these qualities exist throughout that kind, although nearly 
all the black Dogs I ever knew or hunted with, were of the 
same ungovernable and ferocious dispositions. I have often 
noticed, that the most hardy and indefatigable Dogs, were 
those which had a dark brown or iron colour, prevailing 
sometimes in large and again in small spots, on a dark gray 
ground, over the whole animal, from the nose to the ex- 
tremity of the tail. This, however, is a bad colour for the 
Sportsman. I had a Dog of this description once, — and 
owing to his colour and staunchness, I was often perplexed, 
and suffered much loss of time, when hunting with him in 
thickets; at which time, I have frequently passed within a 
few feet of him, and pursued my way for half a mile, and 
then retraced my steps to the last spot I saw him, and re- 
mained hallooing and calling him from a supposed distance 
for a longtime, oruntil I accidentally flushed thegame, when 
I have found myself within perhaps twenty feet of him, at a 
stand, where he had remained unmoved until the game 
had sprung; and his colour being so like the faded leaves 
and other objects, that he was undiscovered by me until 
he broke from his stand. 
There are some who give preference to those Pointers 
or Setters which possess double noses, as they are called, 
but which in fact is only a separation of the nostrils by a 
longitudinal groove for a short distance up the nose. This 
choice must arise more from the singularity and rarity of 
the animal, than from superior excellence. I have seen 
several of this description very superior; one especially, of 
most beautiful proportions and reputed excellence, owned 
in New-York, by a gentleman and a first rate Sportsman. 
The Pointer, when standing at game, (unless other- 
wise taught) always keeps himself erect and stiff, with the 
tail and head usually more elevated than his body, — but 
the Setter will oftentimes squat on his hinder parts, and 
sometimes crouch completely on his belly, when coming 
suddenly on the game, and in this way drag after them 
until sufficiently near to remain stationary; his head and 
tail are seldom raised on a level with his back, and it is 
said by some writers, that they are more inclined to crouch- 
ing according to the purity of their blood. 
Cross breeds between the Pointer and Setter are con- 
demned by some, — but for my part, I advocate them, as 
uniting the qualities of the two, and when both are good, 
it is reasonable to suppose the offspring will be good also. 
D. 
MY FAVOURITE WALKS. 
Mr. Editor: 
So fond am I of rural things, that I frequently take 
solitary walks in the neighbourhood of this city, through 
woods, fields, and secluded lanes, many of which form the 
most delightful promenades during the present warm wea- 
ther. My excursions are not very limited, but some- 
times extend for miles into the country; — this is more 
generally the case, when I visit our sister state — and it is 
astonishing how soon the visitor there, may avoid the 
wearisome bustle of a great city, and find solitude and 
calmness in the shady and extensive woods of New-Jer- 
sey, — where nought but the carols of the most lovely birds, 
disturb the reigning quietness, save now and then, favour- 
ed by the western breeze, the hum and confusion of the 
city floats swiftly over the waters. 
A Sportsman, (if I may so speak,) from my infancy, I 
delight more especially to direct my footsteps to the com- 
