12 PREFACE BY THE EDITOR. 



wild, and this alleged fact was made the excuse 

 for the trapping and netting by which the markets 

 of the great cities are mainly supplied with that 

 bird in those months. Hardly one out of twenty 

 then offered for sale has been shot. But Captain 

 Bogardus proves that this is either pure inven- 

 tion of the netters and trappers, or due to the 

 imagination of those whose skill with the gun 

 being small, and whose knowledge of the habits 

 of the game being scanty, have failed to kill 

 any at such times themselves. He tells us how 

 he killed them with the gun, and how you can 

 kill them if you follow his instructions. 



It will be seen by this work that Captain Bo- 

 gardus has been a sportsman of the most resolute 

 and persistent character. No difficulty deterred 

 him, no fatigue subdued him, no misfortune dis- 

 heartened him, when he was out with his dogs 

 and his gun. He has also been a man of the 

 closest observation and of much reflection. 

 Hence his philosophy on the habits of birds of 

 pursuit by the sportsman, and in regard to the 

 art and principles of shooting, will be found 

 especially valuable and interesting. 



CHARLES J. FOSTER. 



