Chapter I: Is an Imperial-Beaver

Not common in England; when scored in this country are almost invariably migrants.

These amusing specimens are, curiously enough, commoner in winter-coat than in ordinary plumage.

There are no tricks about scoring an Imperial. Any specimen with moustache and a growth beneath the lower lip, of which the parent area does not extend to the lower edge of the chin, is an Imperial.

Score three points for a Full-Black; one point for a White.

J.

IS A JOO BEAVER.

These exotics are fairly common, and local sportsmen can be relied upon to flush a few on short notice, provided that they are allowed to choose the beat.

In many ways curiously attractive, the charm of the species is marred by the frequent lack of neatness of plumage; as a race they incline to landscape-gardening with their hirsuteness.

Carefully note their musical cry of “Oy-Yoy ... Oy Yoy.” A specimen in full song, when the moon is full, counts game.

Some experts have a very nice scale--by which they score--of the curvilinear bill. This is a pretty point and a pleasant _raffinement_, but too subtle for the ordinary week-end player. Of course any unusually fine frontal curve should be claimed and scored as a rarity.

K.

IS A KILLINGWORTH-BEAVER.

This specimen is mounted for instructional purposes only. Connoisseurs and collectors are, of course, entirely _au fait_ with the deliciousness of this gorgeous creature.

George Killingworth, in the year 1555, was sent to the court of Ivan the Terrible (one of the many monarchs who have, from time to time, taxed Beavers) as the agent of Queen Mary. His beard was five feet two inches in length and it was yellow. He was without doubt the most flawless specimen of a Yellow-King ever seen.

It is considered in the highest degree unlikely that anything approaching this efflorescence will be noted nowadays, hence no score is suggested.