208 WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 
fortunately, some of the most enthusiastic and ser- 
viceable dogs have little discretion or forethought ; 
and unless he is trained to perfect quiet, and broken 
to eitire immobility at the most exciting moments, 
he is apt to interfere sadly with the sport. 
In spite of these inconveniences, however, the loss 
of many of his birds—amounting, amid the dense 
reeds of the western lakes, to nearly one-half of the 
whole number—will satisfy the sportsman that the 
retriever, with his devoted and wonderful sagacity, 
to say nothing of his delightful companionship, is a 
most desirable acquisition. Where the sportsman 
is forced to pursue his calling solitary and alone, so 
far as human associates are concerned, he will find 
the presence of his four-footed friend a great satis- 
faction, and, amid the solitary and unemployed mid- 
day hours, a pleasant resource. 
The dog is the natural companion of the sports- 
man—the partaker of his pleasures, the coadjutor of 
his triumphs; and whenever his peculiar gifts can 
be used to advantage, it is a gratification to both to 
call upon him. The knowledge that he will acquire 
in time is truly marvellous. Not only does he pos- 
sess the power of smell, but his eyesight and hear- 
ing far surpass those of man; he will often discern 
a flock long before it is visible to human eyes, and 
his motions will warn his master of its approach. 
His training can be carried on beyond limit; his 
knowledge increases daily, and his devotion is un- 
bounded. Ofall the race, the retriever is probably 
the most intelligent; as, in fact, intelligence is one 
