PREFACE. IX 



few exceptions, have, up to the present timq, 

 killed their birds, or allowed them to be killed 

 in their breeding season ; just as the Indian and 

 Kaffir boys who are idhng about the villages in 

 Asia and Africa kill all they can, on every day 

 in the year ; and it seems to be only now dawn- 

 ing upon some of us that this is not much more 

 rational than to allow our cattle and sheep to 

 be treated in the same manner. 



The author's own opinions are formed from 

 pursuing and collecting birds over a great part 

 of India, and for some years in South Africa. 

 He has resided of late years in the wildest 

 part of the Highlands of Scotland ; and having 

 had the sole right of shooting over more than 

 100 square miles of country, he has, with the 

 greatest satisfaction, watched the increase in re- 

 turn for the protection bestowed upon them, of 

 all the birds whose presence upon our property 

 adds most to its value. 



If this httle book should induce a single 



