GAJTK OF .^J■\IERICA. 31 



At the same time, wilh but two exceptions that occur to me, 

 no animal can properly be game which is not fitted for the table, 

 and the flesh of Avhicli is not delicate, and esteemed a rarity. 



Again, alth(>uii;h it be an essential qualification to game that it 

 should be such as a well-bred dog will notice, and pursue natu- 

 rally, it is not necessary that the dog should be invariably used 

 in its pursuit — as in the case of the Water-Rail, and the Upland 

 or Bartiaiii\s PU)ver ; on both of which thorough-bred dogs will 

 stand steadily, although, for reasons of which I shall treat under 

 their appropriate heads, it is not usual or desirable to take out 

 pointers or setters in pursuit of them. 



Once more, to conclude, there are animals which may be re- 

 garded as game, under certain contingencies and in certain 

 countries, which I should not call game under different circum- 

 stances. 



Where falconry is in vogue, for example, which is purely a 

 sport, and a most scientific sport, too, the Heron, the Skylark, 

 nay, even the Magpie is pursued as, and may be considered, 

 game. 



In like manner, where packs of Fox and Otter hounds are re- 

 gularly kept for the purpose of hunting those animals, legiti- 

 mately and scientifically, and where to kill those animals other- 

 wise than legitimately and scientifically, is contrary to sports- 

 manship and custom, the Fox and the Otter may be properly 

 termed game. 



In England I should certainly term the Fox an animal of 

 game ; in those counties of England, wherein Otter hounds are 

 kept up, the Otter likewise. 



Here, like the other noxious animals, or those which are 

 killed for their peltry only, by the trap or the gun, they are 

 vermin ; as are the Racoon, the Opossum, and the like, although 

 these may be casually pursued, unscientifically, and without fair 

 play, or regular rules of sportsmanship, for their flesh, or even 

 for sport. 



Game, therefore, in its proper sense — and in no other do I 

 treat of it — consists but of a few families, and even genera, 



