144 The Nature-Study Idea 



without intimate knowledge of the animal or 

 plant in the wild, and until he has tried to put 

 himself in its place. Perhaps the old school of 

 literary effort is not losing ground; but it is 

 certain that the new is gaining. The new litera- 

 ture is founded on first-hand knowledge, but it 

 embraces all the human sympathies. It is the 

 outcome of the study of objects and phenomena. 

 The first product was scientific literature. The 

 second is the lucid resourceful nature-writing of 

 the present day. There are new standards of 

 literary excellence. 



The awakening interest in the nature-world 

 is strongly reflected in the game laws for these 

 laws are only an imperfect expression of the 

 growing desire to let everything live its own 

 life. The recent revulsion of feeling against 

 the shooting of trapped pigeons, as expressed in 

 agitations before state legislatures, is an excel- 

 lent example in point. It is gratifying that a 

 prominent place in the discussions for good 

 game laws is taken by sportsmen themselves. 

 It is recognized that hunting for sport must be 



