CHAPTER XXVI 

 ORDER OF UPLAND GAME BIRDS 



GALLINAE 



TT is natural that a country possessing the wide diversity 

 •^ of uplands that exists in the United States should pos- 

 sess a great variety of ground-dwelling birds. In response to 

 the inviting fields and forests, plains and mountains — cold and 

 warm, wet and dry — the birds of the Order Gallinae have 

 greatly multiplied, both in number and in species. 



It is no wonder that men and boys like to hunt upland 

 game birds; and when the conditions are properly observed, it 

 is right that they should do so. The natural death of a game 

 bird or quadruped is by shot or bullet, from the gun of a true 

 hunter, who hunts only at the proper time, in a fair manner, 

 and kills sparingly. Wherever game birds are most plenti- 

 ful, each hunter is in honor bound to kill only a small number, 

 and give others a chance. 



If you are a boy, or man, don't be a "game-hog!" Shoot 

 like a gentleman, or don't shoot at all. If any species be- 

 comes so rare that it is threatened with extinction, stop killing 

 it, and take measures for its complete protection until it has 

 had time to recover. Above all, never engage in a "side- 

 hunt," which is a wholesale slaughter of wild creatures "for 

 points"; and never tolerate one in your neighborhood. Side- 



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