200 FACT AGAINST FICTION. 



tlie wind setting direct from me to the water, I 

 have had wild ducks come swimming and feed 

 so near me, that I coidd have touched them with 

 the barrel of my gmi. 



To illustrate the fact that birds of any kind 

 distinguish neither friend nor foe by scent, I take 

 the pheasant, — as all sportsmen of any knowledge 

 must have remarked, that if they are in ambush, 

 and completely hidden from sight, and not making 

 any noise while a cover is being driven towards 

 them, pheasants, up-wind or down-wind, will come 

 running to pass within two yards of them, and 

 not be in the least aware of man's immediate- 

 presence. 



Not so the hare and rabbit ; if they come hopping 

 by up-wind of the gun, even if the man stands 

 against a tree, fully confessed, if the man stirs 

 not hand nor foot, the hare and rabbit having 

 no appreciation of dangerous proximity but by 

 motion and their noses, will pass as if the entire 

 coast was free. But, on the other hand, let man 

 be ever so masked by ambush, ever so completely 

 hidden, if the hare or rabbit comes down-wind 

 of him, the instant they catch the tell-tale 

 current of air, they stop, look bewildered, 



