AUTHOR'S PREFACE. 



In preparing the present volume, which includes the first half 

 of the species commonly termed " Game-Birds," my great aim 

 has been to treat the subject in such a way that this little book 

 may not only be useful as a scientific work of reference, but 

 also as a handy book for sportsmen and field naturalists. 

 With its aid, they should be able not only to identify the birds 

 they shoot, with as little trouble as possible, but also to find out 

 what is known concerning the life-history of each species. 



References are, in every case, given to the more important 

 works, especially those in which good figures of the birds are 

 to be found. 



The descriptions of the adult male and female have been 

 made as short as possible, only the distinguishing characters 

 being given, while the more important points are printed in 

 italics ; and it is believed that, in every case, the descriptions 

 will be found quite sufficient to enable those who have no 

 previous knowledge of this group, to identify any species of 

 Game-Bird they may chance to meet with. 



In such birds as the Seesee Partridges, and in some of the 

 closely allied species of Kalij and Koklass Pheasants, the 

 females so closely resemble one another, that it has been found 

 impossible to give characters by which they may be distin 

 guished one from another. In such cases the best guide to 



