PREFACE. 



THE Swan, Geese, and Ducks naturally become the 

 subjects for the third volume of what may be called the 

 series, or trilogy of " North American Game Birds." 

 While engaged upon this book, I felt that I was writing 

 the history of a rapidly vanishing race, whose serried 

 hosts, at a time not far distant, were spread over the 

 entire length and breadth of the continent as they winged 

 their swift flight in the annual migrations. But inces- 

 sant persecution and unrestrained slaughter have been 

 waged against these fowl, in all manner of ways: by kill- 

 ing the mated birds in the spring on their way to the 

 breeding grounds, by robbing the nests, by murdering 

 the young perhaps even unable to fly, and by continued 

 shooting during their southern journey and in their win- 

 ter residence until to-day but a remnant is left of the 

 myriad fowl that at one time fairly darkened the air with 

 their mighty legions. 



And although it is apparent to all, save those who will 

 not see, that only a brief period can elapse, if the same 

 conditions continue, before, like the buffalo, our Water 

 Fowl will mostly disappear, yet little is done to save them 

 from destruction, and the ruthless slaughter goes gayly 

 on. Improved firearms of all kinds and devices of every 

 sort to reduce their numbers, each one more dangerous 

 and effective than its predecessor, are continually being 

 introduced, and there is hardly a spot all over our broad 

 land where a wild Duck or Goose can rest a moment in 



