208 WILD-FOWL SHOOTING. 



fortunately, some of the most enthusiastic and ser- 

 viceable dogs have little discretion or forethought; 

 and unless lie is trained to perfect quiet, and broken 

 to e itire immobility at the most exciting moments, 

 he m 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 gi-atification 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 ajjproach. 



His training can be carried on beyond limit ; his 

 knowledge increases daily, and his devotion is un- 

 bounded. Of all the race, the retriever is probably 

 the most intelligent ; as, in fact, intelligence is one 



