vi PREFACE. 
of them; but the environment of the Ducks and Geese 
suffers in comparison with that of gallinaceous birds, 
and the beautiful pictures of high-bred dogs, seeking and 
pointing game, are lacking in the pursuit of the web- 
footed quarry. 
The construction of the present volume is precisely 
similar to that of the ‘‘Shore Birds,” and first is given 
the common name of each bird, or, if there are more than 
one, that most generally employed. Then follows an 
account of the habits and economy of the species, and 
a short life history; after which comes the Latin name 
succeeded by the geographical distribution, and a de- 
scription of both sexes when necessary, and of the young 
whenever possible. 
In the Appendix will be found the Keys to the Families, 
Subfamilies, Genera, and Species, arranged in the same 
simple manner as those published in the ‘ Shore Birds,” 
and which will enable anyone with a little patience to 
ascertain to what species an unfamiliar example may 
belong. Excepting perhaps the Ptarmigan, the various 
species of gallinaceous birds are more easily recognized 
from each other, in illustrations printed only in black and 
white, than are those of the “Shore Birds,” and the 
various Keys will be found perhaps less necessary, and 
only really required in the cases of the group above men- 
tioned, or in closely allied species of Prairie Grouse. 
The author’s experience among the game birds has 
been very extensive, gained from a familiar acquaintance 
with them in their haunts extending over many years. 
With a few exceptions, he has observed all the species 
contained in this book in the various localities they fre- 
quent throughout North America, and in the proper 
season representatives of most of them have fallen to his 
gun. Unlike the majority of the “ Shore Birds,” omit- 
