30 



FRANK FORESTER'S FIELD SPORTS. 



THE GAME 



OF THE 



UNITED STATES AND BRITISH PROVINCES. 



AME is not every thing which ex- 

 ists in the shape of birds or beasts 

 in a state of nature, /<?r<a3 natura, in 

 the woods, the wastes, or the wa- 

 ters. 



This, to sportsmen, self-evident 

 proposition is by no means gen- 

 erally admitted or applied by the 

 gunners of the United States, or 

 the recorders of their feats ; as will 

 be readily seen by those who peruse the registers of game killed, 

 in the great hunting parties which are constantly occurring in 

 the more remote districts of the Eastern and Midland States — 

 registers in which we shall find Owls, Hawks, Bluejays, Robins, 

 Pigeons, Squirrels ; nay, even Skunks, Ground-hogs, and Opos- 

 sums enumerated as game. 



Game is an arbitrary term, implying, in its first and most 

 correct sense those animals, whether of fur or feather, which 

 are the natural pursuit of certain high breeds of dogs, and 

 Avhich such dogs, whether they have ever met with the animal 

 before or not, will instinctively follow and take. 



Thereafter, it comes to signify all animals which are so pursued 

 by dogs for the purpose of sport, not of obtaining food, or of 

 destroying a noxious animal merely, and to Avhich certain cour- 

 tesies, if I may so express myself, are shewn, and certain semi- 

 chivalrous usages extended. 



