HAUNTS OF BIRDS. 23 



of course, by a knowledge of their special haunts and habits, 

 and is one of the mysteries of wood-craft only solved by long 

 experience and close observation. Here is where the true 

 naturalist bears himself with conscious pride and strength, 

 winning laurels that become him, and do honor to his calling. 

 Where to find game ("game" is anything that vulgar people do 

 not ridicule you for shooting) of all the kinds we have in this 

 country has been so often and so minutely detailed in sporting- 

 works that it need not be here enlarged upon, especially since, 

 being the best known, it is the least valuable of ornithological 

 material. Most large or otherwise conspicuous birds have 

 very special haunts that may be soon learned ; and as a rule 

 such rank next after game in ornithological disesteem. Birds 

 of prey are an exception to these statements, they range 

 everywhere, and most of them are worth securing. Hawks 

 will unwittingly fly in your way oftener than they will allow 

 you to approach them when perched : be ready for them. Owls 

 will be startl^ed out of their retreats in thick bushes, dense 

 foliage, and hollow trees, in the daytime ; if hunting them at 

 night, good aim in the dark may be taken by rubbing a wet 

 lucifer match on the sight of the gun, causing a momentary 

 glimmer. Large and small waders are to be found by any 

 water' s-edge, in open marshes, and often on dry plains ; the 

 herons more particularly in heavy bogs and dense swamps. 

 Under cover, waders are oftenest approached b}^ stealth ; in 

 the open, by strategy ; but most of the smaller kinds require 

 the exercise of no special precautions. Swimming birds, 

 aside from water-fowl (as the "game" kinds are called), are 

 generally shot from a boat, as they fly past ; but at their 

 breeding places many kinds that congregate in vast numbers 

 are more readily reached. There is a knack of shooting loons 

 and grebes on the water ; if they are to be reached at all by 

 the shot it will be by aiming not directly at them but at the 

 w^ater just in front of them. They do not go under just where 

 they float, but kick up behind like a jumping-jack and plunge 

 fonvard. Eails and several kinds of sparrows are confined to 

 reedy marshes. But why prolong such desultory remarks? 



