[To TNE EDITOR OF THE SPIXTATOR."1 SIR,—When covert-shooting two months
ago in Wales, I saw, one day a striking example of a dog's understanding the meaning of a word,—a word the meaning of which he must have learnt by observation, and not by teaching. We were a long line of guns and beaters doing some rough scrub. I was on the left of the line, and, owing to the lie of the ground, could see both the centre and the extreme right, though these- two were concealed from each other. With one of the centre guns was Dash,' an active and most useful spaniel of the usual white-and-liver colour, English sort, always delighted to rush to the rescue if a call were made for him from any part of the line, and his master did not forbid it; and, truth to tell—when fresh in the early part of the day— a little too ready to be off and have a share of any fun going, and requiring an occasional reminder from the- whip that his proper place was close to his master. But it was afternoon now, and ' Dash ' was quite ready to avoid, unnecessary trouble. A cock-pheasant came over the right of the line, and was dropped 60 yards back. A beater ran, back for it while the line was halted. The voice of the shooter was heard directing the man—" A little farther on," "more to the right," "go another of you, be quick, I see him, it's a runner !" All through these hastily shouted directions, I saw 'Dash' standing listening intently, and evidently con- sidering whether to go or not ; but on the word "runner," it was as if an electric shock had passed. Without an instant's pause he was off at best speed straight towards where he had- seen the bird fall and heard the men run (for the bird when shot at, and in the upper part of its fall, had been visible enough to him). The way the dog acted on the word was really most remark- able, and I could not help calling attention to it at the time. Another instance of a sporting dog's unexpected intelligence was witnessed by me several years ago, and may be worth record- ing, as instances of the power of animals to identify objects from pictures are scarce. I took with me an English pointer to- a small shooting I had taken in Mull. The first day we .walked. out we encountered some Highland cattle, and their fierce aspect evidently struck ' Twig ' very much. He never book any notice of cattle at home, but he seemed quite fascinated with these, drew close on to one shaggy steer, and when they were at last face to face eyeing each other, the dog growled:- savagely. I called him off ; and bad forgotten about the matter, as we saw to more for some days, and bad begun shooting. One morning while I was finishing a letter the dogs bad been loosened, and, rampaging about, ' Twig ' had .intered the open house-door—forbidden ground—and began exploring. In a minute or two I heard in the room across the passage a low but savage growl. This being a most unwonted sound from the good-natured animal, I at once went to see what was the matter. In the centre of the room, with all his bristles up, stood ' Twig ' as rigid as if standing at a black-cock, his eyes glaring bard at the picture over the mantelpiece, which was a very fair oil-painting representing a single Highland bullock. My coming only seemed to add to 'Twig's' rage, as though be felt he must protect his master from thia unseemly beast, who had a second time thrust his unwelcome presence upon us ; and if I had not laid strong hands upon him, I verily believe my bill for dilapidations would have included the value of this piece of art. On two or three occasions after this I bad to take -care that ' Twig ' did not enter this room, as I could see by the rising of his bristles and his curious look when near the -door, that he would like to go in and have it out with the gentleman over the mantelpiece.—I am. Sir, &c.,
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