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PREFACE 
I N this Volume the plan adopted is to give first the natural history of the various 
species of British Game Birds and Wildfowl, and next, under the head of each kind, 
to describe the various methods of shooting in vogue, supplemented by hints on the 
rearing and management of game, the art of “driving,” the management of grouse 
moors, heather burning, and other kindred matters. These subjects are all dealt with by 
authors who write from personal experience, and are authorities on their subjects. 
The Natural History portion of the present Work by Mr Ogilvie-Grant contains much 
new and interesting matter. Many remarkable facts regarding the moult and change of 
plumage in game-birds have been brought together, while one subject at least— the eclipse- 
plumage assumed by the male Capercaillie during the autumn moult — has not been 
previously elucidated. The eclipse-plumage of the game-birds is a subject about which 
very little is generally known, and it is of great interest to naturalists. The males of both 
the Black Grouse and Common Partridge assume a partial eclipse-plumage in July, and 
this is figured and fully described : also the nesting plumage donned by the hen Partridge. 
Again, in the Red Grouse (the only game-bird peculiar to the British Isles) the various 
types of plumage observable in both sexes have never previously been fully figured, and 
the remarkable variation in their plumage is well shown in Mr Lodge’s admirable water- 
colour drawings. In the chapter on Pheasants will be found a carefully revised list of all 
the known forms divided into groups, with the exact geographical distribution of each 
species. 
In the chapter on Wildfowl a special feature is Mr Ogilvie-Grant’s very useful Key to 
all the species of the Duck-tribe which may possibly be met with in British waters. By the 
aid of this it is believed that sportsmen will be able with very little trouble to name any 
bird which they may happen to shoot. 
The Publishers desire to thank Lord Westbury, Lord Ashburton, Baron de Pallandt 
Eerde, Mr R. H. Rimington-Wilson and Mr A. J. Gillott for their practical help with 
some of the illustrations, and they are greatly indebted to Major Arthur Acland Hood for 
his assistance during the progress of the Work. 
In conclusion, they desire to express their appreciation of the labour bestowed by 
Mr J. E. Harting, who at their request read all the proof sheets with a view to eliminate 
inadvertent repetition, and to secure that uniformity of treatment which is desirable when 
several authors are engaged upon the same scheme. 
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