INTRODUCTION 



Laws recently enacted by most of the states for the 

 better protection of the game, imposing a nominal li- 

 cense for the privilege of hunting it, have enabled us 

 to take a census, as it were, of that vast number of 

 the American people who enjoy the health-giving sports 

 of the field. This census reveals the fact, that, of the 

 whole population of the Pacific Coast, nearly twenty per 

 cent of all those over fifteen years of age are licensed 

 sportsmen. Add to these the large number of anglers, 

 not counted in this enumeration, and the rapidly in- 

 creasing number of young ladies who are learning to 

 enjoy the exhilarating sports of the field and stream, 

 and this percentage will be appreciably increased. It is, 

 therefore, obvious that a study of the game birds and 

 game fishes must be one of interest to a very large 

 portion of our people, and especially to the younger 

 generation whose knowledge of the game they bring 

 to bag is still in the formative state. 



Unlike all other works treating of the birds and fishes, 

 this one is written from the standpoint of the practical 

 sportsman and angler, rather than for the student of 

 ornithology or ichtheology. I have, therefo-c avoided 

 the use of technical names as much as possible, and 

 employed in the description of the various species the 

 plainest language consistent with a clear understanding 

 of their distinguishing features. I have, however, for 

 the benefit of those who wish to learn their scientific 

 names and genetic relationship, added after the descrip- 

 tion of the members of each family, a tabulated form, 

 giving the Order, Family, Subfamily and Genus to 

 which the several species belong; together with their 

 common names, general range and breeding grounds. 

 A new and convenient feature of ready reference. 



The numerous illustrations, which are from photo- 

 graphs of the actual birds, is a new feature of great 

 importance to the student, as they give the perfect mark- 

 ings of every feather, and the true gradation of color as 

 appearing in nature. 



That, by placing within the reach of the younger gen- 

 eration of sportsmen, such knowledge of the game birds 

 and game fishes as I have gained through more than 

 half a century spent in their pursuit, may, in a measure, 

 liquidate the deep debt I owe for the many happy hours 

 and excellent health drawn from the exhilarating sports 

 of the field and stream, is the earnest wish of 



THE AUTHOR. 



550735 



