Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ... HISTOBY OF FOWLING BEING AN ACCOUNT OF THE MANY CURIOUS DEVICES BY WHICH WILD BIRDS ARE OR HAVE BEEN CAPTURED IN DIFFERENT PARTS OF THE WORLD iiV THE Rev. H. A. MACPHERSON, M.A. w MEMBER OF THE BRITISH ORNITHOLOGISTS' UNION, AUTHOR OF "THE FAUNA OF LAKELAND, ' to., JOINT AUTHOR OF "THE FUR AND FEATHER SERIES," &c. THESE PAGES ARE DEDICATED BY PERMISSION TO PROFESSOR ALFRED NEWTON, F.R.S., F.Z.S. AS A SMALL TRIBUTE TO HIS RARE ERUDITION AND AS A GRATEFUL ACKNOWLEDGMENT OF THE MANY KINDNESSES WHICH HE HAS CONFERRED UPON HIS BROTHER IBISES PREFACE. In the days of romance and chivalry, any amusement which afforded court-gallants the society of fair women was likely to excite the patronage of royalty. Small wonder need we feel that, when splintering of lances was impossible, brave and accomplished noblemen wiled away their intervals of enforced indolence by exhibiting their skill as fowlers to the graceful dames whose smiles they strove so earnestly to win. One of the happiest exponents of old rural life in France is Nicolas Lancret. Several dainty specimens of his brush are hung in the xvI. Gallery of the Louvre. The picture called " Le Printemps," reproduced as our own frontispiece, belongs to the collection. It represents a party of ladies and their gallants, who have pitched the toils of a Clap-net upon the banks of a beautiful stream. The cavaliers, to whose care the duties of La Chasse have been assigned, are attired in grey wideawakes, and appear to be engrossed in their responsibilities. The upper figure holds to his lips a bird-call, with which he is attempting to entice the wild birds into the centre of the nets. His comrade holds the cords of the nets; indeed, he seems to be in the act of reversing the nets. The expression
