seen; marsh, shore, woods, etc.? If in trees does it sit upright or horizontal? 
If on the ground, does it run or walk, easily or with difficulty? If in the water, 
can it swim well, can it dive, does it swim under water, can it fly from the water 
easily, or does it have to patter over the surface before flying? What does it 
seem to be eating? Does it have any notes? Does it fiy rapidly; with rapid 
wing beats or not; in a straight line or otherwise? Does it sail, or soar? In 
flecks or singly? These and hundreds of other questions that may suggest 
themselves, are of great interest and importance. 
A PLEA TO SPORTSMEN.—Many of the birds shown in this book are 
Game Birds, that is, birds that the law allows you to shoot at certain seasons 
of the year. Some of these are still abundant and will be for numbers of years; 
others are very scarce and if they are further hunted, will become entirely ex- 
terminated in two or three years. Bow-whites are very scarce in New England; 
Prairie Hens are becoming scarce in parts of the west; the small Curlew is 
practically extinct, while the larger ones are rapidly going. In behalf of all 
bird lovers, we ask that you refrain from killing those species that you know 
are rare, and use moderation in the taking of all others. We also ask that you 
use any influence that may be yours, to further laws prohibiting all traffic in 
birds. The man who makes his living shooting birds, will make more, live 
longer and die happier, tilling the soil than by killing God’s creatures. We do 
not, now, ask you to refrain from hunting entirely, but get your sport at your 
traps. It takes more skill to break a clay pigeon than to kill a quail. 
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