Of the Dog called the water Spaniell, or finder, in Latine Aquaticus seu Inquisitor.

THat kind of dog whose seruice is required in fowling vpon the water, part∣ly through a naturall towardnes, and partly by diligent teaching, is indu∣ed with that property. This sorte is somewhat big, and of a measurable [ 30] greatnes, hauing long, rough, and curled haire, not obtained by extra∣ordinary trades, but giuen by natures appointment; yet neuerthelesse (friend Gesner) I haue described and set him out in this manner, namely powled and not∣ted from the shoulders to the hindermost legs, and to the end of his taile, which I did for vse and customs cause, that being as it were made somewhat bare and naked, by shearing off such superfluity of haire, they might atchiue the more lightnesse, and swiftnes, and be lesse hindred in swimming, so troublesome and needelesse a burthen being shaken off. This kind of dog is properly called, Aquaticus, a water spaniel, because he frequenteth and hath vsuall recourse to the water where al his game lyeth, namely water fowles, which are taken by the help and seruice of them, in their kind. And principally ducks and drakes, whereup∣on [ 40] he is likewise named a dog for the duck, because in that quality he is excellent. With these Dogs also we fetch out of the water such fowle as be stounge to death by any vene∣mous Worme▪ we vse them also to bring vs our boultes and arrowes out of the Water, (missing our marke) whereat we directed our leuell, which otherwise we should hardly recouer, and oftentimes they restore to vs our shaftes which wee thought neuer to see, touch, or handle againe, after they were lost: for which circumstaunces they are called Inquis•tores, searchers, and finders. Although the Ducke otherwhiles notably deceiueth both the Dog and the Maister, by dyuing vnder the Water, and also by naturall subtilty, for i• any man shall approch to the place where they builde, breede, and sit, the hennes goe out of their neasts, offering themselues voluntarily to the handes, as it were, of such [ 50] as drawe neere their neastes. And a certaine weakenesse of their Wings pretended, and infirmity of their feet dissembled, they goe slowly and so leasurely, that to a mans think∣ing it were no maisteries to take them. By which deceiptfull tricke they doe as it were entise and allure men to follow them, til they be drawn a long distance from their nestes, which being compassed by their prouident cunning, or cunning prouidence, they cutte Page  171 of all inconueniences which might grow of their returne, by vsing many careful and curi∣ous caueats, least their often hunting bewray the place where the young duklings be hat∣ched. Great therefore is their desire, and earnest is their study to take heede, not only to their brood but also to themselus▪ For when they haue an inkling that they are espied, they hide themselues vnder turfes or sedges, wherewith they couer and shroud themselues so closely and so craftely, that (notwithstanding the place where they lurk be found and pre∣fectly perceiued) there they will harbor without harme, except the water spaniel by quick smelling discouer their deceiptes.