VI PREFACE. 



of them; but the environment of the Ducks and Geese 

 suffers in comparison with that of galhnaceous birds, 

 and the beautiful pictures of high-bred dogs, seeking and 

 pointing game, are lacking in the pursuit of the web- 

 footed quarry. 



The construction of the present volume is precisely 

 similar to that of the '' Shore Birds," and first is given 

 the common name of each bird, or, if there are more than 

 one, that most generally employed. Then follows an 

 account of the habits and economy of the species, and 

 a short life history; after which comes the Latin name 

 succeeded by the geographical distribution, and a de- 

 scription of both sexes when necessary, and of the young 

 whenever possible. 



In the Appendix will be found the Keys to the Families, 

 Subfamilies, Genera, and Species, arranged in the same 

 simple manner as those published in the *' Shore Birds," 

 and which will enable anyone with a little patience to 

 ascertain to what species an unfamiliar example may 

 belong. Excepting perhaps the Ptarmigan, the various 

 species of gallinaceous birds are more easily recognized 

 from each other, in illustrations printed only in black and 

 white, than are those of the *' Shore Birds," and the 

 various Keys will be found perhaps less necessary, and 

 only really required in the cases of the group above men- 

 tioned, or in closely allied species of Prairie Grouse. 



The author's experience among the game birds has 

 been very extensive, gained from a familiar acquaintance 

 with them in their haunts extending over many years. 

 With a few exceptions, he has observed all the species 

 contained in this book in the various localities they fre- 

 quent throughout North America, and in the proper 

 season representatives of most of them have fallen to his 

 gun. Unlike the majority of the ** Shore Birds," omit- 



