GROUSE-SHOOTING AT COLV1LLE VALLEY. 307 



densely studded with pine-trees, and on the other 

 quite clear of timber, but thickly clothed up to 

 their rounded summits with the bunch-grass. 

 This is a peculiar kind of grass, that grows in tufts, 

 and its fattening qualities are truly wonderful. 



The little stream at the Horse-Guards has on 

 either side of it a belt of thin brush, and in this, 

 and in the long grass close to the stream, we 

 found the sharp-tailed grouse. There were hun- 

 dreds of them up they went, and, right and left, 

 down they came again ! It might have been the 

 novelty of the scene, causing an undue anxiety 

 and excitement, or perhaps it was the liver, 

 or powder, or something else who knows what? 

 but this I do know, that neither of us shot our 

 best, but we made a glorious bag nevertheless. 

 They rise with a loud rattling noise, and utter a 

 peculiar cry, like ' chuck, chuck, chuck,' rapidly 

 and shrilly repeated. On first rising the wings are 

 moved with great rapidity, but after getting 

 some distance off they sail along, the wings being 

 almost quiescent. 



They pair very early in the spring, long before 

 the snow has gone off the ground, and their love- 

 meetings are celebrated in a somewhat curious 



o 



fashion. By the half-breeds and fur-traders these 

 festivities are called chicken or pheasant dances. 



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