24 A DESCRIPTION OF 
mains suspended, lest, by putting it to the ground, the 
game might be too soon alarmed by the noise. In this 
position they remain, until the sportsman comes near 
enough, and is prepared to take his shot; when he gives 
the word, and the Dog immediately springs the game. 
This attitude has often been selected by the artist. . 
THE WATER SPANIEL 
Is excellent for hunting otters, wild ducks, and other 
game whose retreat is among the rushes and reeds which 
cover the banks of rivers, the fens, and the ponds. He is 
very sagacious, and perhaps the most docile and tractable 
of all the canine tribe. The Newfoundland Dogs are of 
this class, and the largest of the family ; their strength and 
their faithfulness to their masters are well known, and the 
concurrence of both has often proved most useful to people 
who were on the point of being drowned. 
The smaller Water Spaniels partake of the qualities 
of the others ; they fetch and carry whatever they are 
bid, and often dive to the bottom of deep water in search 
of a piece of money, which they bring up in their mouths, 
and lay down at the feet of whoever sent them ; the best 
breed has black curly hair and long ears. 
