Page:A Hand-book to the Game-Birds (Volume 1).djvu/13



In preparing the present volume, which includes the first half of the species commonly termed "Game-Birds," my great aim has been to treat the subject in such a way that this little book may not only be useful as a scientific work of reference, but also as a handy book for sportsmen and field naturalists. With its aid, they should be able not only to identify the birds they shoot, with as little trouble as possible, but also to find out what is known concerning the life-history of each species. References are, in every case, given to the more important works, especially those in which good figures of the birds are to be found.

The descriptions of the adult male and female have been made as short as possible, only the distinguishing characters being given, while the more important points are printed in italics; and it is believed that, in every case, the descriptions will be found quite sufficient to enable those who have no previous knowledge of this group, to identify any species of Game-Bird they may chance to meet with.

In such birds as the Seesee Partridges, and in some of the closely allied species of Kalij and Koklass Pheasants, the females so closely resemble one another, that it has been found impossible to give characters by which they may be distinguished one from another. In such cases the best guide to