Tbe Prairie-Hen 173 



a pronounced advocate of the pointer, the setter 

 is a far handsomer and frequently a more intelli- 

 gent animal, which, as a rule, makes it the more 

 desirable companion, especially during the close 

 season. My preference is for the pointer, be- 

 cause of his more uniform steadiness upon scant 

 work, and his ability to stand hard work dur- 

 ing warm weather without continually requiring 

 water. This upon the plains is no unimportant 

 matter, for in many sections good water in abun- 

 dance is not readily obtainable, which means that 

 wise men will carry a full keg lashed to the rig 

 wherever they go. The chief disadvantage of the 

 pointer is that he rarely has sufficient coat to 

 properly protect his hide from the sharp, coarse 

 grass, while his almost hairless feet are liable to 

 injury from continuous work in stiff, new-cut 

 stubble. In point of fact the weakness of one 

 dog is the strength of the other ; hence, the set- 

 ter, being the better protected all round, can 

 better stand the wear and tear, while his rival, 

 owing to his lack of protective coat, is less liable 

 to overheating and its continuous thirst. Under 

 reasonably fair conditions, the dogs are equal in 

 speed, range, nose, staying powers and "bird- 



sense." 



Be the dog of either breed, to win renown upon 

 the prairie he needs must be a free, wide, fast 

 ranger and a determined worker, not afraid to 



