24*2 GAME BIRDS AND WILD FOWL. 



valuable acquisition, and if the party is large or 

 more especially at a battue, two or three dogs of 

 this description, thoroughly under command and 

 well up to their work, may really be denominated 

 ' angels of mercy.' For the grouse or partridge 

 shooter it is sufficient, nay, even preferable, that 

 his setters should be good fetchers as well as 

 finders although few are so fortunate as to pos- 

 sess such dogs as unite the double accomplish- 

 ment in perfection, or admit of the inculcation 

 of the one without detriment to the other but 

 for cover-shooting, where a team of spaniels or 

 a party of beaters are employed, a regular re- 

 triever is necessary.* There is great diversity of 

 opinion as to the best breed. Most persons prefer 

 the Newfoundland, not only from his docility but 

 from his size and strength, which enable him to 

 carry hares with great ease through the tangled 

 brushwood, and even over gates and fences, which 



* In hazarding this opinion I am aware that it is at variance 

 with that of many who have had more experience in canine 

 tuition than myself. While on this subject I cannot refrain 

 from congratulating the sporting world on the appearance of 

 Colonel Hutchinson's little work on " dog breaking." In all 

 that relates to the training of setters and pointers it fully 

 carries out the promise on its title page, of presenting " the 

 most expeditious, certain, and easy method." It is indeed a 

 perfect text-book on the subject, arid its price, as well as its 

 dimensions, ought to ensure it a place in the pocket of every 

 sportsman and gamekeeper. 



