56 GAME-BIRDS AT HOME. 



cheaper than hunting birds too widely dispersed. 

 So we moved along several hundred yards and 

 came to a little valley. Near its head the oaks 

 stood larger and closer than before, the ferns 

 were longer, brighter, and greener, the birches 

 taller and thicker, and so were the maples and 

 aspens that were crowding them aside. A soft 

 flavor of wild honey and thyme with dittany and 

 mint breathed through the cool shades, and every- 

 thing seemed to hint strongly of ruffed grouse. 

 So strongly did the spirit of the place whisper 

 *' grouse " that Jack was on a half-point from the 

 start, just as many a good old dog changes his 

 pace the instant he enters a damp dark swamp 

 where everything breathes the magic word 

 ** woodcock." And even Frank seemed en- 

 thralled by the deep shade and threaded the 

 bowers of birch and beds of fern with more than 

 usual care. 



But vainly the dogs sneaked and sniffed here 

 and there. The birds seemed playing the trick 

 of all game in ignoring the fine places you select 

 for it, and preferring to make its own selection. 

 Lower down the little valley were thickets of 

 crab-apple and wild plum with hazel, viburnum, 



