seen; marsh, shore, woods, etc.? If in trees does it sit upright or horizontal? 

 If on' the ground, does it run or walk, easily or with difficulty? If in the water, 

 can it swim well, can it dive, does it swim under water, can it fly from the water 

 easily, or does it have to patter over the surface before flying? What does it 

 seem to be eating? Does it have any notes? Does it fly rapidly; with rapid 

 wing beats or not; in a straight line or otherwise? Does it sail, or soar? In 

 flocks or singly? These and hundreds of other questions that may suggest 

 themselves, are of great interest and importance. 



A PLEA TO SPORTSMEN. Many of the birds shown in this book are 

 Game Birds, that is, birds that the law allows you to shoot at certain seasons 

 of the year. Some of these are still abundant and will be for numbers of years; 

 others are very scarce and if they are further hunted, will become entirely ex- 

 terminated in two or three years. Bow-whites are very scarce in New England; 

 Prairie Hens are becoming scarce in parts of the west; the small Curlew is 

 practically extinct, while the larger ones are rapidly going. In behalf of all 

 bird lovers, we ask that you refrain from killing those species that you know 

 are rare, and use moderation in the taking of all others. We also ask that you 

 use any influence that may be yours, to further laws prohibiting all traffic in 

 birds. The man who makes his living shooting birds, will make more, live 

 longer and die happier, tilling the soil than by killing God's creatures. We do 

 not, now, ask you to refrain from hunting entirely, but get your sport at your 

 traps. It takes more skill to break a clay pigeon than to kill a quail. 



7 



