154 UPLAND SHOOTING. 



to add to the reputation of their dogs. Dogs with poor 

 noses are largely responsible for the idea that Bob 

 Whites can withhold their scent at will. When Harry 

 Archer said that these birds close the pores of their skins, 

 and thereby withhold the scent, he should have referred 

 to his dog's nose as being closed. 



The future of our game animals and birds causes the 

 thoughtful sportsman much anxiety. Whether we look 

 backward or forward, the result is the same. The buffalo 

 is practically extinct; the elk can be reached by but few, 

 and deer and wild turkeys are now unknown in sections 

 where they were once superabundant. The annual flights 

 of wild fowl are yearly less and less. From the answers 

 received to my inquiries, it appears that Bob Whites are 

 also, as a general rule, decreasing alarmingly in num- 

 bers, and this is especially to be regretted; for, from the 

 nature and habits of the birds^ they can be made to 

 increase, even in densely settled farming districts; but to 

 do this is not a matter of a day nor a year. Good game 

 laws are, of course, most essential; but game laws are 

 mere dead letters unless they are supported by public 

 sentiment, and not only actively enforced by prominent 

 sportsmen, but also closely observed by them. This is 

 what I mean: I know many sportsmen who would not 

 think of shooting Bob Whites out of season, who are 

 earnest in their efforts to protect them, and yet will, on 

 occasions, violate the law for the protection of some 

 other kind of game, thereby destroying whatever influ- 

 ence they may have for good. The sportsman should 

 observe all game laws; he should learn and obey the laws 

 of the land, no matter how unjust and unwise he may 

 think some particular clauses to be, for if he violates 

 one, the market-hunter and bag-maker will violate them 

 all; and he should observe even still more closely the 

 laws of Dame Nature, and under no circumstances molest 



