Essays on sport and natural history

Preface

In offering this volume to the PubHc, little need be said by way of Preface. The Essays here brought together have been selected from a much larger number contributed at various times to different periodicals, and may be said to comprise chiefly those which deal with topics of more or less permanent interest to naturalists and sportsmen.

In regard to many of the subjects here discussed the author is constantly receiving letters asking for information, and indeed in some cases it was the frequency of these applications which originally suggested the collection of materials for an essay on the subject of inquiry.

Of one thing the reader may be assured, namely, that these Essays are not sensational. The writer does not deal with fiction, except to refute it when occasion requires. The following pages will be found to contain a large number of facts on a variety of topics connected with sport and natural vi PREFACE.

history, derived in a great measure from personal observation and experience, or collected from trustworthy sources, the reference to which is invariably quoted.

It is hoped that this collection of facts will not only prove useful to those to whom this volume is especially dedicated, but will serve also to amuse that large class of readers who, though not claiming to be either sportsmen or naturalists, take a general interest in pursuits and studies which at the present day are so widely cultivated.