10 INTRODUCTION. 



delight, and causing in his heart a secret longing for 

 their return; while, by the inexperienced, especially by 

 the young man, lessons can be learned instructive in all 

 those secrets which make hunting a success, teaching 

 him how to take advantage of the wary birds in all their 

 wanderings, and instilling into his mind a love for out- 

 door life, which will add to his strength and make the 

 world the better for his living. 



The supplemental chapter, " Greyhound Coursing," 

 supplies a fund of information, and creates in the reader 

 a desire to participate in this exciting sport. Lovers of 

 the chase, of racing, of exhibitions of speed and endur- 

 ance, can not fail to have their hearts throb faster, when 

 they follow the writers in their glorious runs, and imagine, 

 as they can not help imagining, that they are present and 

 see the spirited running of the lithe and supple grey- 

 hounds, trained with all the skill and watchful care 

 which characterizes the development of speed in the 

 blooded horse. The hounds enter the contest leashed 

 together, straining eyes and every nerve, anticipating the 

 prey which may spring from the grass at any moment. 

 The level prairie, the chase, the excitement, the success- 

 ful pursuit, the cool October day, the thousands of 

 enthusiastic spectators, the ground beautified and chas- 

 tened by the presence of ladies and children, all flushed 

 with excitement as one of the hounds, with a magnificent 

 burst of speed, passes his competitor and seizes the fleet- 

 footed ranger of the plains. Then the return, the crown- 

 ing of the victor with a floral wreath by some fair lady, 

 the ovation, all these things cause one's blood to tingle, 

 and we are willing, for the time, to lay aside our rods and 

 guns, and with our wives and children enjoy sports so 

 pure and exhilarating as these. 



In the preparation of a work like this, one is placed 

 under special obligations to many. I am thus indebted 



