278 MANUAL FOR YOUNG SPORTSMEN. 
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 
