xvi PREFACE TO THE SECOND EDITION. 



There additions, however, though numerous, have been in 

 most instances ingrafted so insidiously on the old text that 

 they can scarcely be discerned, save by those who may have 

 felt their deficiency in the first edition, and will now, we trust, 

 in the present volume, find a portion at least of these defects 

 supplied. 



In accordance with the repeated suggestions of some of our 

 sporting finends, we have deemed it advisable to change the 

 title of our book from "Hints to Sportsmen" to that of the 

 "American Sportsman." 



The former appellation, considering the great variety of 

 subjects introduced, and the copiousness with which many 

 of them are treated, seemed rather too restricted in its signi- 

 fication, and far less comprehensive in its general bearing 

 than a work of this character merited. Besides all this, the 

 large additions as well as alterations that we have made in the 

 present volume seemed still further to urge upon us the 

 propriety of this change, and more especially as the work in its 

 entirely new and beautiful dress can scarcely be regarded as 

 the same book, or even recognised as the ofiEspring of the first 

 edition. "We cannot refrain from calling the attention of our 

 sporting friends to the wood-cuts of the various game-birds, 

 most of which, in point of execution, have not been equalled, 

 let alone excelled, by any thing of the kind before done in 

 this country. 



To the Messrs. Louderback and Hoffmann we are indebted 

 for the skill and faithfulness with which they have accom- 

 plished their portion of the work, and we cheerfully acknow- 

 ledge that their great attention to our suggestions, coupled 

 with a becoming ambition on their part to do what would be 

 creditable to themselves, relieved us of much trouble as well 

 as anxiety. Of the truthfulness of these engravings to nature 

 we need say but little, as they speak for themselves, the most 

 of them being really very lifelike both in position and ex- 

 pression. "We may remark, however, eii passant, that every 



