│Terrier.
│Hounds │Harrier.
│which hunt │Foxhound.
│Dogs │in packs. │Bloodhound.
│of │
│Chase. │ │Irish Greyhounds.
│ │Hounds │Gazehound.
│ │which hunt │Greyhound.
1. The most │ │singly. │Leviner, or Lyemmer.
general kinds. │ │Tumbler.
│
│ │ │Spaniel, or Springer.
│Fowlers. │ │Setter.
│ │ │Large Water Spaniel, or Finder.
│
│Lap Dogs.│ │Spanish Gentle, or Comforter.
│ │Shepherd’s Dog.
2. Farm Dogs. │Watch │ │Mastiff.
│Dogs. │ │Bull Dog.
│ │Wrappe.
3. Mongrels. │Mongrels.│ │Turnspit.
│ │Dancer.
Although it is said by naturalists that there are only thirty-seven
varieties of the dog, yet the fact is, that almost every nation on earth
intertropical, temperate, and polar, has its own peculiar
variety.—_Brown._—_Daniel._—_Cuvier._
DORMOUSE, _s._ A small animal which passes a part of the winter in
sleep.
DOSSIL, _s._ A pledget, a nodule or lump of lint.
DOTTEREL, (_Charadrius morinellus_, LINN.; _Le Guignard_, BUFF.)
_s._ The name of a bird.
[Illustration]
The length of this bird is about nine inches. Its bill is black; eyes
dark, large, and full; its forehead is mottled with brown and white top
of the head black; over each eye an arched line of white passes to the
hinder part of the neck; the cheeks and throat are white; the back and
wings are of a light brown, inclining to olive, each feather margined
with pale rust colour; the quills are brown. The forepart of the neck is
surrounded by a broad band of a light olive colour, bordered on the
under side with white. The breast is of a pale dull orange; middle of
the belly black; the rest of the belly, thighs, and vent, are of a
reddish white; the tail is of an olive brown, black near the end, and
tipped with white, the outer feathers are margined with white. The legs
are of a dark olive colour.
The dotterel is common in various parts of Great Britain, though in some
places it is scarcely known. They are supposed to breed in the mountains
of Cumberland and Westmoreland, where they are sometimes seen in the
month of May, during the breeding season; they likewise breed on several
of the Highland hills. They are very common in Cambridgeshire,
Lincolnshire, and Derbyshire, appearing in small flocks on the heaths
and moors of those counties during the months of May and June, and are
then very fat, and much esteemed for the table. It is said that the
dotterel is so very stupid a bird, as to be taken with the most simple
artifice, and that it was formerly the custom to decoy them into the net
by stretching out a leg or an arm which caught the attention of the
birds, so that they returned it by a similar motion of a leg or a wing,
and were not aware till the net dropped and covered the whole flock. At
present the more sure method of the gun has superseded this artifice.
* * * * *
_The Ring Dotterell._—(_Ring Plover_, or _Sea Lark_; _Charadrius
Heaticula_, LINN.; _Le Petit Pluvier à collier_, BUFF.)—The length is
rather more than seven inches. The bill is of an orange colour, tipped
with black; the eyes are dark hazel; a black hue passes from the bill,
underneath each eye, and spreads over the cheeks; above this a line of
white extends across the forehead to the eyes; this is bounded above by
a black fillet across the head; a gorget of black encircles the neck,
very broad on the forepart, but growing narrow behind, above which, to
the chin, is white; the top of the head is of a light brown ash-colour,
as are also the back, scapulars, and coverts; the greater coverts are
tipped with white; the breast and the under parts are white; the quills
are dusky, with an oval white spot about the middle of each feather,
which forms, when the wings are closed, a stroke of white down each; the
tail is of a dark brown, tipped with white, the two outer feathers
almost white; the legs are of an orange colour; claws black. In the
female the white on the forehead is much less; there is more white on
the wings, and the plumage inclines more to ash-colour.
These birds are common in all the northern counties; they migrate into
Britain in the spring, and depart in autumn: they frequent the
sea-shores during summer, and run nimbly along the sands, sometimes
taking short flights, accompanied with loud twitterings, then alight and
run again; if disturbed, they fly right off. They are said to make no
nest: the female lays four eggs, of a pale ash-colour, spotted with
black, which she deposits on the ground.—_Bewick._
DOUGHADOO, _s._ A colour used by fly-tiers on the Shannon.
DRAG, _v._ To pull along the ground by main force; an artificial
mode of hunting by substituting some strong smell in place of
the animal scent.
DRAG, _s._ An instrument with hooks to catch hold of things under
water; a kind of car drawn by the hand.
DRAG-NET, _s._ A net which is drawn along the bottom of the water.
In making a drag-net, the size of the mesh should never be less than one
inch and a quarter; there should be an extent of three times in length,
and twice in depth of the plain net, before it is hung upon the cork and
lead lines (that is, if the drag is meant to be twenty yards long, and
twelve feet deep, there must be sixty yards of net in length, and
twenty-four feet in depth for a sheet-drag; if made with a cod, it must
be let in with great care as to the widenings, so that in fishing, it
keeps a proper open centre). As drag-nets are usually hung, any one who
is in the water when they are used, will feel, when the lines are
hauled, the lead-line above the calf of his leg, and frequently above
his knee, and that continued to very near the bosom of the net. There is
no occasion to remark upon the chance of success such an implement
affords.
Always use two, if not three flews with the drag: one or two flews can
then be kept forward for the drag to force to, and in fishing every
hole, back the drag with a flew; that is, after the drag approaches
close to the first flew, of course that will be pulled on one or other
side of the river. If any fish are in it they should be taken out, and
so soon as the drag-net has passed, let the flew be pulled back into its
former station; the fish that are disturbed by the drag (from the
different manner in which their lead-lines have been shown to keep a
regular sweep at the bottom), soon perceive an opening to escape beneath
it, and in striking to their old harbours, run head-long into the back
flew; the discolouring of the water, from the trampling of the people
in, together with the motion of some part of the drag upon the mud, all
contribute to the success of this expedient, by which the best fish will
always be captured.
A drag-net should always be used up the stream; however low the water in
a river may be drained for the convenience of those fishing in it, there
will still be a current sufficient to preserve the water clear enough
for stumps and hangs of various descriptions to be avoided, besides the
drain of the water keeps the meshes of the net extended, and enables it
to fish with every advantage; on the contrary, when drawing down the
stream, the mudding of the water progressively prevents the discovery of
stubs, &c., that would injure the net, and aid the escape of the fish,
and, moreover, drives the net into folds, which the leaves of the weeds
turning the same way, not a little assist.—_Daniel._
DRAKE, _s._ The male of the duck.
DRAM, _s._ In weight the eighth part of an ounce; a small quantity;
such a quantity of distilled spirits as is usually drank at
once; spirits, distilled liquors.
DRASTICS, _s._ Violent purgatives.
DRAUGHT, _s._ The act of drinking; a quantity of liquor drank at
once; the act of drawing or pulling carriages; the act of
sweeping with a net; the quantity of fishes taken by once
drawing the net; the depth which a vessel draws, or sinks into
the water; a bill drawn for the payment of money.
_Draughting._—This fishing is confined to the estuary, where the river
meets the sea. Here, according to naturalists, the salmon undergo a
probationary course, before they exchange the salt for the fresh water,
as a sudden change from either would be fatal to the fish, and a
temporary sojourn in water of an intermediate quality (brackish), is
supposed to be requisite, before they can leave either the ocean or the
river.
The draughting is carried on at the last quarter of the ebb, and during
the first of the flood; five or six boats, with as many men in each, are
necessary. When the salmon are seen, the nearest boat starts off,
leaving a man on shore, with a rope attached to one extremity of the
net, which is rapidly thrown over, as the boat makes an extensive circle
round the place where the fish are supposed to lie. Returning to the
shore, the curve of the net is gradually decreased. Stones are flung in
at each extremity, to prevent the salmon from escaping; the net reaches
the bank, the semicircle is complete, and all within effectually
secured. The fish are then carefully landed, and at a single draught
five hundred salmon have been taken. This is, however, an event of rare
occurrence, and unless the net were powerfully strong, and the fishers
skilful, a fracture, and consequently a general escape, would be
inevitable.
* * * * *
It is extraordinary how much the flavour and quality of the salmon
depends on circumstances apparently of trifling moment. A single day in
the river will injure, and a flood spoil their condition; and a
difference between a fish taken in the nets, and one killed with a rod,
will be easily perceptible.—_Wild Sports._
DRAYHORSE, _s._ A horse which draws a dray.
DREDGE, _s._ A kind of net; the iron and bag net with which oysters,
scallops, &c., are lifted.
DREDGE, _v._ To gather with a dredge.
DREDGER, _s._ One who fishes with a dredge.
DRENCH, _v._ To saturate with drink or moisture; to physic by
violence.
Though an inconvenient method of giving medicine to horses, it is
preferable, on some occasions, on account of the medicine acting in much
_less_ time than in a solid form. In flatulent colic, or gripes, where
the symptoms are alarming, a proper drench will relieve the animal,
while a ball would be useless.
The best instrument for giving drenches is the horn of an ox; the
opening being cut obliquely, in the form of a spout. Bottles are
sometimes used, on an emergency, to give drenches; but they are attended
with danger, and should be handled cautiously. In giving a drench, the
horse’s tongue should be held with the left hand; and when the head is
sufficiently elevated, the medicine is to be carefully poured into the
throat, immediately letting go the tongue, while the head is kept up
until the drench is swallowed. Drenches are very seldom given with
dexterity, and a great part of the medicine is sometimes wasted. Every
groom should learn to give them with facility, and always keep a proper
instrument in the stable. In giving a drench, the head should not be
kept so high as it generally is, nor should the throat be pressed or
rubbed, as it often is, with a view to make the horse swallow, as it is
apt to excite coughing. In severe colds or strangles, there is often
some degree of soreness or inflammation of the throat, by which
swallowing is rendered difficult and painful. In such cases no attempt
should be made to give either a drench or a ball, as the complaint would
be increased by it; and if at any time a horse happens to cough or
appear distressed, while taking a drench, his head should be immediately
let down. Hot stimulating medicines, or such as are very nauseous, are
better given in the form of balls than drenches. Drenches should always
be given with as much gentleness as possible; the horn may generally be
introduced with ease, merely by pressing down the tongue with the
fingers of the left hand, instead of dragging it out, as is commonly
done. A small quantity only of the liquid should be given at once; about
six or eight ounces, or even less, when tincture of opium or any
powerful medicine is given; and it is of importance to be accurate in
the dose, and not to give either more or less than a certain quantity.
In locked-jaw it is very difficult to give a drench, unless a small horn
is kept for the purpose, and even then a good deal of dexterity and
perseverance are often required to effect it. In some cases the jaws are
so completely closed, and the muscles of deglutition so affected, that a
drench cannot be given; and then the only method of conveying the
medicine into the body is in the form of clyster. (_See_
CLYSTER.)—_White._
DRENCH, _s._ Physic for a brute; physic that must be given by
violence.
DRESS, _s._ Clothes, garments.
We all know that a jean, nankeen, or any kind of thin jacket, is the
pleasantest wear for September, one of fustian for October, and one of
velveteen for the winter; and that, for a man, who at all times uses but
one kind of jacket, fustian would be about the medium. After having
tried almost every thing that is commonly used, and some of the wretched
articles that are puffed by advertisement, I have found nothing so good
for a light summer jacket as what is made at Manchester by the name of
satteen, jeanet, or florentine, which is printed on each side, in
imitation of cloth. This stuff far surpasses the others for lightness,
comfort, durability, and every thing that can be required for warm
weather.
_Shoes and Gaiters._—To say nothing of being tormented with two or three
dozen of buttons every morning, and having your ankles and knees in a
state of confinement through a hard day’s exercise, it need only be
observed, that, if you step in the least puddle, you are wet; if you
tread in moist ground, your shoe is pulled down at heel, and you are
often liable to be annoyed by your shoes untying, and thorns and bits of
stick, &c., getting into them, or between the buttons of your gaiters.
How much more comfortable, then, is the dress here recommended! With
lamb’s-wool stockings and flannel drawers, put on a pair of overall
boots, and then draw over them a pair of trowsers, which may be made
either of fustian or leather, and so strongly defended inside the knees,
that no thorn can penetrate. Thus you are equipped without trouble or
loss of time, you have your muscles perfectly at liberty for hard
exercise, and are free from every annoyance; not to say a word on the
advantage and safety you have in the stirrup, if on horseback, or on the
infallibility of this remedy against the annoyance of harvest bugs in
September.—_Hawker._
DRIVE, _v._ To force along by impetuous pressure; to force or urge
in any direction; to guide and regulate a carriage; to make
animals march along under guidance.
DRIVER, _s._ The person or instrument who gives any motion by
violence; one who drives a carriage.
_Driving_, among sportsmen, is a method of taking pheasant powts. The
sportsman having found out the haunts of these birds, and fixed his nets
there, he calls them together with a pleasant call, imitating the voice
of the dam; after this he makes a noise with his driver, which will make
them run a little way forward in a cluster, and this he repeats till he
has made sure of them, by driving them into his nets.
* * * * *
_Drivers_, among sportsmen, a machine for driving pheasant powts,
consisting of good strong ozier wands, such as the basket makers use,
set in a handle, and twisted or bound with small oziers in two or three
places; with this instrument the sportsman drives the young powts into
his nets.—_Ency. Lond._
DROP, _s._ A globule of moisture; as much liquor as falls at once
when there is not a continual stream.
DROPPER, _s._ A dog of irregular breed.
A breed between a pointer and a setter. It is deemed by some to be a
good cross, but I never saw one of them that was worth much. They are by
sportsmen termed _droppers_, and, what is very remarkable, if they are
tolerably good themselves their breed falls off wonderfully.—_Thornton._
DROVE, _s._ A body or number of cattle; a number of sheep driven;
any collection of animals.
DRUG, _s._ An ingredient used in physic, a medicinal simple;
anything without worth or value, anything for which no purchaser
can be found.
DUB, _v. obs._ To form the body of a fly.
DUCK, _s._ A water fowl, both wild and tame. _Vide_ ANAS.
[Illustration]
_Bimaculated Duck_—_Clucking Duck_.—(_Anas glocitans._)—Length twenty
inches. Taken in a decoy in England. Has been met with along the Lena,
and about the lake Baikal. Has a singular note, somewhat like clucking.
_Long-tailed Duck or Swallow-tailed Sheldrake_—(_Anas Glacialis_, LINN.;
_Canard de Miclon_, BUFF.) This species is considerably less than the
last, and comes more nearly to the size of the widgeon. The flocks which
visit the Orkney isles appear in October, and continue there till April;
and “about sunset they are seen in vast companies going to and returning
from the bays, in which they frequently pass the night, making such a
noise, as in frosty weather may be heard some miles.” They are rather
scarce in England, whither they come only in very hard winters, and even
then but in small straggling parties. They fly swiftly, but seldom to a
great distance, making a loud and singular cry. They are expert divers,
and are supposed to live chiefly upon shell-fish.
_Tufted Duck_—(_Anas Fuligula_, LINN.; _Le Petit Morillon_, BUFF.) This
is a plump, round, and short shaped species.
The male is distinguished by a pendent crest, overhanging the nape of
the neck, two inches in length. The weight is about two pounds, length
eighteen inches.
The habits, manners, and haunts of this species are much the same as
those of the Golden-eye, and they return northward about the same
time.—_Vide_ GOLDEN-EYE—MORILLON—TEAL—VELVET DUCK, &c.
* * * * *
The male bird is called mallard, and the young ones flappers. To find a
brood of these, go, about July, and hunt the rushes in the deepest and
most retired parts of some brook or trout stream; where, if you spring
the old duck, you may be pretty sure that the brood is not far off. When
once found flappers are easily killed, as they attain their full growth
before their wings are fledged; and for this reason, the sport is often
more like hunting water rats than shooting birds.
If you leave the brood after having disturbed them, the old bird will
remove them to another place long before the following day.
When the flappers take wing they assume the name of wild ducks. About
the month of August they repair to the corn fields, till disturbed by
the harvest people. They then frequent the rivers pretty early in the
evening, and show excellent sport to any one who has patience to wait
for them. Our sporting writers in general have given no further
directions for duck-shooting than to walk quietly up a brook, and shoot
them as they rise. In doing this, if you have only a single gun, and
should spring a bird at an uncertain distance, halloo out before you
shoot, as there may be others under a bank, and much closer to you, that
would spring on the discharge of your gun.
You need not be at a loss to know a wild duck. The claws in the wild
species are black.—_Latham._—_Bewick._—_Hawker._
DUCK-GUN, _s._ Gun for shooting ducks.
If a duck gun is too large in the calibre, in proportion to its weight
of metal, it will recoil considerably; and if too small, it will not
have the desired effect of allowing the shot to lie compactly together.
A gun fired from a rest is felt more than if held out; because the left
hand, when grasping it, checks the recoil. The stock of a heavy duck-gun
should be more bent than that of a common gun as, when we are holding
out a great weight, it is not so easy to lower the head: and it should
also be observed, that the curve in the stock tends to lessen the
recoil.
I have of late years had the duck gun stocks, which I used on the coast,
made with a pistol grip, and whipped with waxed-end round the handle,
similar to a cricket-bat, which rather lessens the jar; and the upper
part of the butt very much cut away, in order to prevent it from hurting
the shoulder-bone. I also paint and varnish the stock, by which means it
does not get cracked, after being wetted with salt-water. The
gun-makers’ stocks I found were always a great plague on this account,
as well as from the trouble of keeping them in order, after being
exposed to the spray of the sea. Add to which, they recoil most
unmercifully, and are, therefore, only fit for light charges.
Trial at twelve sheets of thick brown paper, to ascertain the difference
between two common duck-guns, and a very superior double gun, made by
Mr. Joseph Manton.
POUNDS. FEET. INCHES. GAUGE.
Large duck-gun 14 4 6 7
Smallest, do. 12½ 4 5 7
Double gun 9 2 8 14