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shot, he was able, once at least, to kill in this way over 
one hundred ducks in less than two hours. Such shooting 
as this is probably exceptional. It only shows what can be 
done toward exterminating the birds by the modern sports- 
man, using modern methods, and without the effort of stir- 
ring from his tracks. There are many sportsmen, of course, 
who will neither practise nor countenance such slaughter; 
but there are too many gunners who, like the market hunter, 
are out to kill as many birds as possible. A large proportion 
of the market hunters are law-abiding citizens, and will not 
shoot much unless they can sell their birds legally ; but there 
are some “ game hogs ” who will kill birds at any season, 
and sell them to epicures, hotels and road houses. 
Hunting Contests. — Hunting contests or side hunts are 
still indulged in by many gun clubs. While these hunts may 
be conducted within the law, the spirit of the contest is wrong, 
for each contestant strives to kill as many birds as possible, 
that his own side may win, and that the other side may pay 
for the dinner which is to follow. Barrels of birds and game 
have been killed in these hunts. Nothing tends more to ex- 
terminate the birds and game than these contests, and, the 
contestants being out to kill all they can, some are sure to 
kill birds other than game birds. All large birds and many 
small ones suffer. This association of hunters in rivalry to 
kill game is a blot on the history of civilization. It goes be- 
yond the rapacity of the savage. The native Indians ex- 
pressed disgust when they first saw the white men engaging 
in this kind of slaughter. It should be prohibited by law. 
Italians and Other Foreigners. — All large birds, whether 
game birds or not, are doomed to endless persecution, merely 
because they make good targets. Herons, hawks, owls, eagles 
and crows are shot at sight, whenever opportunity offers, and 
those that escape do so only by superior cunning and agility. 
Some of our hawks and owls are certainly among the most 
useful of all birds, but this whole group suffers particularly 
at the hands of the sportsman or gunner, because some hawks 
and owls kill game. Farmers and poultrymen shoot them 
also, indiscriminately. 
A comparatively new element of danger to the smaller 
