The Game-birds of the Coasts and Lakes of the Northern States of America

In this book, Robert B. Roosevelt foresaw and expressed concern about the eventual decrease and possible extinction of many game animals unless conservation measures and improved hunter ethics were promptly adopted to protect them. He relates personal hunting experiences, descriptions of major game birds (waterfowl, rails, shorebirds, woodcock, and snipe), means of taking them, areas hunted, hunting equipment, including boats, retrieving dogs, the art of marksmanship, sportsmanship, and hunter ethics. He clearly describes the advantages of the new breech-loading shotguns over antiquated muzzled-loaders. This was one of most hotly debated hunting issues of the day. The author was an uncle of Theodore Roosevelt and great-uncle of Eleanor, Franklin Delano Roosevelt's wife. An avid sportsman, he is often credited for instilling in Theodore an appreciation of the out of doors, including hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping.--Henry M. Reeves.