GENERAL INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 27 



competent to speak. I have had much experience, 

 and have conferred with many practical men 

 whose experience is nearly or quite as great as 

 my own. What I have stated I know to be true. 

 No doubt, when the hen-birds have lost their first 

 nests by the plough, or by the much more destruc- 

 tive burning of the prairie patches late in spring, 

 they make other nests ; but these also are often 

 destroyed ; and if they are not, the broods are 

 small and late, and quite unable to take care of 

 themselves when the shooting season begins. 



The best spring shooting in Illinois is snipe ; 

 and in many parts, such as that on the Sangamon 

 River, the birds are found in abundance. I know 

 of no better ground for them anywhere. After 

 the snipe come the golden plover, sometimes in 

 very large flocks. This beautiful and delicious 

 little bird stays with us some three or four weeks, 

 and the sport they afford is excellent. They 

 are commonly shot from horseback, or by means 

 of a wheeled vehicle, as is said to be the prac- 

 tice in the Eastern States. You must be a 

 good sportsman to fill your bag with them, and 

 there is no better practice for a good shot than at 

 them. After remaining with us about a month the 

 golden plover go farther north to breed. The up 



