HAUNTS OF BIRDS. 23 
of course, by a knowledge of their special haunts and habits, 
and is one of the mysteries of wood-craft only solved by long 
experience and close observation. Here is where the true 
naturalist bears himself with conscious pride and strength, 
winning laurels that become him, and do honor to his calling. 
Where to find game (‘‘game” is anything that vulgar people do 
not ridicule you for shooting) of all the kinds we have in this 
country has been so often and so minutely detailed in sporting- 
works that it need not be here enlarged upon, especially since, 
being the best known, it is the least valuable of ornithological 
material. Most large or otherwise conspicuous birds have 
very special haunts that may be soon learned; and as a rule 
such rank next after game in ornithological disesteem. Birds 
of prey are-an exception to these statements, they range 
everywhere, and most of them are worth securing.’ Hawks 
will unwittingly fly in your way oftener than they will allow 
you to approach them when perched : be ready for them: Owls 
will be startled out of their retreats in thick bushes, dense 
foliage, and: hollow trees, in the daytime; if hunting them at 
night, good aim in the dark may be taken by rubbing a. wet 
lucifer match on the sight of the gun, causing a momentary 
glimmer. Large and small waders are to be found by. any ° 
water’s-edge, in open marshes, and often on dry. plains;. the 
herons more particularly in heavy bogs and dense swamps. 
Under cover, waders are oftenest approached by stealth; in 
the open, by strategy ; but most of the smaller kinds require 
the exercise of no special precautions. Swimming birds, 
aside from water-fowl (as the ‘‘ game” kinds are called), are 
generally shot from a boat, as they fly past; but at their 
breeding places many kinds that congregate in vast numbers 
are more readily reached. There is a knack of shooting loons 
and grebes on the water; if they are to be reached at all by 
the shot it will be by aiming not directly at them but at the 
water just in front of them. They do not go under just where 
they float, but kick up behind like a jumping-jack and plunge 
forward. Rails and several kinds of sparrows are confined to 
reedy marshes. But why prolong such desultory remarks? 
