INTRODUCTION. XVU 



Tlie neg-lect with wliicli the suhject has met, creates the g-reater 

 astonishment, when we consider what a charming- sport it is ; em- 

 bracing-, as it does, so many distinct branches j each requiring- some 

 peculiar skill and ingenuity ; and, indeed, scientific experience ; the 

 results of which cannot be made appreciable or intellig-ible, except in 

 a special and distinct treatise, 



I am quite conscious that the undertaking- is a bold one j and if ] 

 had not a certain degTce of confidence in my own personal expe- 

 riences in this ; for years past one of my favourite recreations ; also 

 long' since felt the requirements of a work of the kind, I should not 

 venture to attempt to supply the want. But I am induced, though 

 reluctantly, to believe that the reason of this interesting- sport being- 

 hitherto so overlooked, is because it is, in reality, so little understood : 

 and in this impression I am borne out by the opinion of Colonel 

 Hawker, who says that " many of the greatest field-sportsmen in the 

 kingdom know no more about wild-fowl shooting- than children." 



The sportsman will do me the favour to bear in mind, that T do 

 not profess to give any further ornithological delineations or descrip- 

 tions of the various species of wild-fowl, than those which may 

 suggest themselves from personal observation and familiarity with 

 the habits of the birds ; and such as are necessary for explaining- the 

 pursuit of wild-fowling- -, such being' a subject foreign to my pur- 

 pose, and already abundantly treated of by many distinguished 

 authorities. 



To know something- of the ingenious methods of taking- wild-fowl, 

 must be useful to all men ; and more especially those about to reside 

 in foreig-n countries, who should remember that there are wild-fowl 

 in almost every part of the world -, and perhaps such men may find it 

 highly expedient for them to exercise some of the ingenuities and 

 means of capture which have been employed in this country, with a 

 success almost beyond credulity. 



Wild-fowling, as regards capturing- the birds alive, is an art so 

 strictly founded upon the natural principles of instinct, that, when 

 begun, it leads the enquirer on with such absorbing- interest tliat he 



