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Of the DOG called a TUMBLER▪ in Latin, Vertagus.
THis sort of Dogs, which compasseth all by crafts, fraudes, and subtilties and deceits, we English∣men call Tumblers, because in hunting they turn and tumble, winding their bodies about in circle wise, and then fiercely and violently venturing upon the beast, doth suddenly gripe it, at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles, or closets before they can recover means, to save and succour themselves. This Dog useth another craft and subtilty, namely, when he runneth into a Warren, or fetcheth a course about a Conyburrough, he hunts not after them, he frayes them not by barking, he makes no countenance or shadow of hatred against them, but dissembling friend∣ship, and pretending favour, passeth by with silence and quietness, marking and noting their holes diligently, wherein (I warrant you) he will not be overshot nor deceived. When he cometh to the place where Conies be of a certainty, he cowcheth down close with his belly to the ground, pro∣vided alwayes by his skill and policy, that the winde be never with him but against him in such an enterprise; and that the Conies spy him not where he lurketh. By which means he obtaineth the scent and savour of the Conies, carryed towards him with the winde and the air, either going to their holes or coming out, either passing this way, or running that way, and so provideth by his circumspection, that the silly simple Cony is debarred quite from his hole (which is the haven of their hope, and the harbour of their health) and fraudulently circumvented and taken, before they can get the advantage of their hole. Thus having caught his prey, he carryeth it speedily to his Master, waiting his Dogs return in some convenient lurking corner.
These Dogs are somewhat lesser then the Hounds, and they be lancker and leaner, beside that they be somewhat prick eared. A man that shall marke the form and fashion of their bodies, may well call them mungrel Gray-hounds if they were somewhat bigger. But notwithstanding they countervail not the Grey-hound in greatness, yet will he take in one dayes space as many Conies as shall arise to as big a burthen, and as heavie a load as a horse can carry, sor deceit and guile is the instrument whereby he maketh this spoil, which pernicious properties supply the places of more commendable qualities.