38 MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 
which then played, though less effectually, the part of the 
unerring rifle. 
Shooting is, therefore, as I have said, with one arm or 
other, the head and front of all American field sports ; 
since but one species, the fox, and that only in one or two 
States, and in them but partially and exceptionally, is 
pursued and killed for sport, without the use of firearms. 
While every other animal, which we follow for the excite- 
ment of the pursuit, or for the sake of its flesh on the 
table, from the gigantic moose and formidable grizzly bear 
to the crouching hare, from the heaven-soaring swan or 
hawnking wild-goose to the “ twiddling ” snipe, is brought 
to bag by means of the rifle, the fowling-piece, or the 
ducking-gun; and to his thorough acquaintance, and 
masterly performance, with one or all of these, in his own 
line, the rank of the sportsman must be mainly attributed, 
and his claim to preéreinence ascribed. ; 
I say, mainly attributable; because, although there 
are many other qualifications which go to constitute the 
accomplished sportsman, and without which, though he be 
the best and surest marksman that ever drew a trigger or 
squinted over a brown barrel, he has no right to arrogate 
to himself the title of a true sportsman, it is on this that 
he must rely. 
These qualifications may be named generally, as the 
art of breaking dogs, of managing them in sickness or in 
health, in the kennel or in the field—the perfect acquaint- 
ance with the habits, food, feeding-grounds, breeding sea- 
sons, migrations and haunts or habitations of those 
animals, whether of fur or feather, which are the objects 
