278 MANUAL FOE YOUNG SPOETSMEN. 



logical specimens, and admiration for the skill and imita- 

 tive talents of the baymen. 



Sport, to me, in it there is little. If the birds are 

 scarce, shy, and avoid the stools, the reek of the mud- 

 banks and stagnant waters, interspersed with savory odors 

 of departed king-crabs, and such like, the blazing sunshine 

 of an American May or June, reflected from the smooth 

 heaving waters, and, above all, the torturing sting of the 

 mosquitos, are hardly compensated by a few scattering 

 shots, and the " converse high " of my friends, as aforesaid, 

 the Raynors, Smiths or Veritys. 



If, on the contrary, the flocks come, as they do some- 

 times, countless in numbers and in quick succession, there 

 is too much of it. It becomes butchery, not sport. 



Sportsmanship proper cannot be said to belong to it, 

 unless — which few persons do except the professionals — one 

 make and set his own stools, paddle his own canoe, and 

 whistle his own birds. Then, it must be admitted, there 

 is a high degree of science and of skill exhibited; and 

 where the success is dependent entirely on the science, skill 

 and performance of the performer, it cannot be denied 

 that there is sportsmanship, and the achievement of 

 sportsmanship is of necessity sport. 



Beyond this, although there is more or less excitement 

 in watching, expecting, hoping for the passing flights, and 

 triumph more or less in planting a successful volley, the 

 cramped position, the constrained absence of motion, and 

 above all, the want of dogs, greatly detract from the 

 pleasure. 



This sport occurs, however, at a time when there is no 



