THE NATURAL ENEMIES OF GAME 



^TpHE natural enemies of game birds collectively are 

 ^ termed vermin by the gamekeepers. It is a singu- 

 lar fact that the v^^ord "vermin" was almost unknown in 

 America and was rarely, if ever, used in our sporting 

 literature until I wrote a paper on "Game Bird Enemies" 

 for The Independent, which was published March 5, 

 1908. 



One of the chief causes for the rapid disappearance of 

 our game is that it cannot stand the ravages of vermin 

 and shooting at the same time. The word vermin often 

 is used in the English sporting magazines and books, 

 and the importance of controlling the enemies of game 

 in order to make a place for the shooting often is dis- 

 cussed. "To destroy vermin is to preserve game" is a 

 familiar English maxim, and the gamekeepers know that 

 they cannot preserve vermin and game on the same field 

 and show good shooting. 



E)r. D'Arcy I. Hamilton says : "To show a good head 

 of game on an estate the place must be cleared of ver- 

 min, and there is no time like the close time for this. 

 The professional keeper knows this and knows how to 

 accomplish it." 



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