INTRODUCTION. 
In presenting this book to the public, it is with the 
intention of supplying a long felt want, and to furnish, 
to those who desire such knowledge a complete exposition 
of the science of Wild Fowl Shooting as applied to in- 
land waters. The grave responsibility resting on me 
to successfully complete an undertaking of this charac- 
ter is fully realized; for Iam aware that with one excep- 
tion, no American has ever attempted to write a book 
exclusively on the subject of Wild Fowl Shooting. To 
do so, and to do it beyond the scope of intelligent 
criticism, one must be blessed with peculiar opportuni- 
ties for observation and study, besides possessed of the 
gift to disclose to others, in a pleasing and instructive 
manner, the researches of his mind, and the discoveries 
of a life-time, in the forests and fields, with Nature and 
birds. 
An inherited love for field sports showed itself in 
early childhood, and I enjoyed nothing better than to 
wander through the blossoming fields, along the hill- 
sides, or sitting at some gurgling brook, splashing my 
feet in the limpid water, to study animal and animated 
life. The years glided by, and my desire to learn more 
of birds grew with me,—especially was this the case 
with wild fowl. I tried to learn of them from books, 
