Kenneth Dawson

The writing style of this European hunting book is armchair contemplative style, so not the most exciting. However, the 1935 original publication date gives it a historical pespective on thepastime.

There are recipes for heron, curlew and others. There is an explanation why early fall Canvasback is the best tasting duck. There are reccomendations on cooking Moorhen, snipe and woodcock. There are opinions on bird dog temperaments and which type dog makes the best hunting partner. Reed Knot is said to be the best tasting "game" bird.

The author seems to like hunting snipe and woodcock over ducks, partridge, phesant, shorebirds or rabbit.

When the book was written the prevailing attitude was that hunting areas would be improved if a sustained program of predator and even carrion eater eradication was maintained. The author states that magpie nests are "shotproof" and that they are to be killed when leaving the nest and not on the nest. There are lots of little facts like these that give a historical perspective to the pastime making reading worthwhile although not very exciting.

There are numerous black and white drawings and paintings of game in natural settings that are very good.… (mehr)