GAME OF AMERICA. 
31 
At the same time, with but two exceptions that occur to me, 
no animal can properly be game which is not fitted for the table, 
and the flesh of which is not delicate, and esteemed a rarity. 
Again, although it be an essential qualification to game that it 
should be such as a well-bred dog will notice, and pursue natu¬ 
rally, it is not necessary that the dog should be invariably used 
in its pursuit—as in the case of the Water-Rail, and the Upland 
or Bartram’s Plover ; on both of which thorough-bred dogs will 
stand steadily, although, for reasons of which I shall treat under 
their appropriate heads, it is not usual or desirable to take out 
pointers or setters in pursuit of them. 
Once more, to conclude, there are animals which may be re¬ 
garded as game, under certain contingencies and in certain 
countries, which I should not call game under different circum¬ 
stances. 
Where falconry is in vogue, for example, which is purely a 
sport, and a most scientific sport, too, the Heron, the Skylark, 
nay, even the Magpie is pursued as, and may be considered, 
game. 
In like manner, where packs of Fox and Otter hounds are re¬ 
gularly kept for the purpose of hunting those animals, legiti¬ 
mately and scientifically, and where to kill those animals other¬ 
wise than legitimately and scientifically, is contrary to sports¬ 
manship and custom, the Fox and the Otter may be properly 
termed game. 
In England I should certainly term the Fox an animal of 
game ; in those counties of England, wherein Otter hounds are 
kept up, the Otter likewise. 
Here, like the other noxious animals, or those which are 
killed for their peltry only, by the trap or the gun, they are 
vermin ; as are the Racoon, the Opossum, and the like, although 
these may be casually pursued, unscientifically, and without fair 
play, or regular rules of sportsmanship, for their flesh, or even 
for sport. 
Game, therefore, in its proper sense—and in no other do I 
treat of it—consists but of a few families, and even genera, 
VOL. i. 
5 
