seen; marsh, shore, woods, etc? If in trees does it sit upright or horizontal? If 

 on the ground, does it run or walk, easily or with difficulty? If in the water, can 

 it swim well, can it dive, does it swim under water, can it fly from the water easily, 

 or does it have to patter over the surface before flying? What does it seem to be 

 eating? Does it have any notes? Does it fly rapidly; with rapid wing beats or 

 not; in a straight line or otherwise? Does it sail, or soar? In flocks or singly? 

 These and hundreds of other questions that may suggest themselves, are of great 

 interest and importance 



A PLEA TO SPORTSMEN. Many of the birds shown in this book are Game 

 Birds, that is, birds that the law allows you to shoot at certain seasons of the year. 

 Some of these are still abundant and will be for numbers of years; others are very 

 scarce and if they are further hunted, will become entirely exterminated in two or 

 three years. Bob-whites are very scarce in New England; Prairie Hens are be- 

 coming scarce in parts of the west; the small Curlew is practically extinct, while 

 the larger ones are rapidly going. In behalf of all bird lovers, we ask that you refrain 

 from killing those species that you know are rare, and use moderation in the taking 

 of all others. We also ask that you use any influence that may be yours to further 

 laws prohibiting all traffic in birds. The man who makes his living shooting birds 

 will make more, live longer and die happier tilling the soil than by killing God's 

 creatures. We do not, now, ask you to refrain from hunting entirely, but get your 

 sport at your traps. It takes more skill to break a clay pigeon than to kill a quail. 



