A LEARNED PIG.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 30, 30 October 1907, Page 2

A LEARNED PIG.

BTRANCE STORY FROM WAIRARAPA. A Wairarapa farmer in the backblocks (writes our Wairarapa correspondent) lias a loarned pig which can find gamo or- fowls almost as well as a pointer. The farmer was at one time a : gamekeeper . for ;an English landowner, and it occurred to him to break this pig in with some. pointer puppies. The animal was taken out with tho puppies, and was found to be tractable. Whenever the pig did tho right thing, tho farmer fcd_ it with barley meal pudding, which ho carried in his pocket. This treatment appears to havo affected ,thc pig, and ultimately it would quarter its ground as regularly as, any pointer. The animal had an excellent nose, and would stand and back the other dogs when on the scent of pigeons, pheasants, pukakas, rabbits,' and oven domestic fowls. It: was curious to watch this pig, says the farmer, when it was scenting: The pig would slacken her trot, gradually drop her cars and tail, till sho was certain, and then fall upon her knees. She was so staunch that she would sometimes remain in, the one position for upwards of five minutes. So soon as the birds rose, tho pig would return to her master, grunting loudly for her reward of pudding. The fanner informs our correspondent that ho has conceived'the idea of Airthcr educating this pig, and then selling it to a circus proprietary. Our correspondent-, undertakes no responsibility in connection with this story, but as he knows the farmer to bo an honest man, with a strong admiration for George Washington, ho publishes the facts in good faith.