212 WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 
is of a deep black; and many of the animals and some 
birds that pass the winter in the arctic regions, change 
their dress in winter from dark to grey or pure white. 
Undoubtedly with a retriever the first point is to 
consider his protection against cold; plunging as he 
does at short intervals into water at a low tempera- 
ture, and exposed when emerging to the still colder 
blasts of AXolus, he must be rendered comfortable 
as far as possible at the sacrifice of every other con- 
sideration. This is attained by the thickness more 
than the color of his coat; and the writer has al- 
ways fancied, whether correctly or not, that curly 
hair is warmer than straight hair. 
The matted coat of the Newfoundland dogs—the 
smaller breed being preferable by reason of size—is 
extremely warm, and where its color is modified by 
judicious crossing, is all that can be desired ; while 
‘the instinctive intelligence, the devotion, faithful- 
ness, docility, and interest in the sport, of these 
admirable animals, fit them in an extraordinary 
degree for wild-fowl shooting. Coming from the 
north and accustomed to playing in the water, they 
can, without danger, face the element in its coldest 
state ; and whether it be to chase a stick thrown into 
the waves by their youthfu! human playmates, or 
to recover ducks shot by their sporting owner, they 
take naturally to all aquatic amusements. 
Nevertheless, as has been heretofore remarked, 
although it is well to have a slight strain of the New- 
foundland, no distinct breed is necessary to make a 
good retriever. Our ordinary setters are sometimes — 
