48 THE GAME BIRDS 
General appearance something like No. 56, 
but considerably smaller, and a little Hehter 
in general tone. ‘The lower parts are more 
melee to a grayish color, as, in fact, is the 
whole bird. Length 15 inches ; extent about 
20 inches. 
The two varieties are only such as are pro- 
duced by difference of climate and local sur- 
roundings, and are so nearly alike, that the 
average sportsman could not distinguish them 
~unless laid side by side. Jt may be very 
well for our ultra scientific workers to devote 
their time to finding varieties, and these va- 
rieties may be valid and constant, but it seems 
to the average sportsman that they would 
be better employed otherwise. 
These birds frequent the salt and brackish 
water marshes of our shores on both coasts, 
on about the same range as No. 56. They 
take to the water more freely even than 
the fresh-water bird, but afford excellent 
sport if properly hunted. ‘The most approved 
plan is to place a good poler in the stern of a 
skiff, while the gunner stands in the bow, and 
is propelled through the reeds which the birds 
occupy as a home. This sport requires a 
quick eye and a steady hand and_ balance, 
while the poler must be steady and quick to 
‘mark ”’ the birds as they fall. 
In the autumn they are very good eating, 
as they are clean feeders themselves at this 
season. 
