Tracks of (1) Rail, (2) Coot, (3) Crane, (4) Swan. (One-half natural size)
Tracks of (1) Rail, (2) Coot, (3) Crane, (4) Swan. (One-half natural size)
Tracks of (1) Rail, (2) Coot, (3) Crane, (4) Swan. (One-half natural size)
(A) Duck, mallard size. (One-half natural size)(B) Goose. (One-half natural size)(C) Trail of Swan, Geese and Ducks.
(A) Duck, mallard size. (One-half natural size)(B) Goose. (One-half natural size)(C) Trail of Swan, Geese and Ducks.
(A) Duck, mallard size. (One-half natural size)
(B) Goose. (One-half natural size)
(C) Trail of Swan, Geese and Ducks.
The great horned owl is of interest to the sportsman merely by reason of the depredations which some members of this tribe commit on small game. Where not forced by a scarcity of small game to subsist on mice, etc., this owl lives almost exclusively on rabbits and birds. The writer remembers an instance where one specimen killed every beaver kid and muskrat on a creek several miles along its course. The owl's tracks are very rarely seen, but from the undigested refuse which he ejects through his mouth (for he swallows all his prey, hair, bones, etc., when feeding) frequently found thickly strewn under his favorite roosting trees (usually densely branched), it can readily be ascertained what the light-shy fellow lives on, and if he proves to be an outlaw, his death will benefit the hunting ground.
Notwithstanding claims to the contrary, all hawks, with the exception of the sparrow hawk, are injurious. Even the much-lauded marsh hawk in open districts lives exclusively on small birds, that is, at least, in the West. In timbered country, where he is too ungainly to catch winged prey, by force of necessity he has to subsist on small injurious rodents which he can catch in the open.
Whoever has observed with open eyes and an open mind the actions of hawks, knows that it will pay the sportsmen well to fill them with lead at every opportunity. Imitating their mating call—an easy matter—is the most satisfactory method of getting them within range, and it is also a very entertaining pastime during the close season. The hunter selects a good cover for himself in a locality which he knows or suspects to be infested by the pests, and sounds hiscac-cac-cac—or,kee-kee-kee-e-e—dependent upon which variety of eagles or hawks he wishes to call, and if a hawk is within hearing, he is never long in coming.
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
SHARP-SHINNED HAWK
WILSON'S SNIPE
WILSON'S SNIPE
WILSON'S SNIPE
HERON TRACKS. (ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE)Bittern is the same form, but smaller. (The large drawing is of the right track.)
HERON TRACKS. (ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE)Bittern is the same form, but smaller. (The large drawing is of the right track.)
HERON TRACKS. (ONE-HALF NATURAL SIZE)
Bittern is the same form, but smaller. (The large drawing is of the right track.)
Tracks of (1) Flamingo (one-half natural size). (2) Plover (one-half natural size). (3) Gull (one-half natural size). (4) Dove (full size).
Tracks of (1) Flamingo (one-half natural size). (2) Plover (one-half natural size). (3) Gull (one-half natural size). (4) Dove (full size).
Tracks of (1) Flamingo (one-half natural size). (2) Plover (one-half natural size). (3) Gull (one-half natural size). (4) Dove (full size).
For the sake of comparison, and because also some of them are very interesting, results of my observations of the tracks of several birds not of the game class are herewith given.
Transcriber's note:Minor spelling and punctuation inconsistencies been harmonized. Obvious printer errors have been repaired. Missing page numbers are page numbers that were not shown in the original text. A "List of Illustrations" has been added so as to aid the reader.
Transcriber's note:Minor spelling and punctuation inconsistencies been harmonized. Obvious printer errors have been repaired. Missing page numbers are page numbers that were not shown in the original text. A "List of Illustrations" has been added so as to aid the reader.