GROUSE-SHOOTING. 79 



that is, they do not always, when the foliage is in the 

 green and the weather warm, lie close in hidden covert, 

 but end their flight by pitching down in any little clumps 

 of saplings that may present themselves in their line of 

 flight, or take to the trees. During the latter part of Oc- 

 tober severe frosts set in, and then grouse lie much better 

 to the dog, after allowing a good long steady point to be 

 made, so that fair shots may be had, provided the ground 

 be worked in a quiet way, and above all, that the sports- 

 man hunts silently. Then, when flushed, his flight, in all 

 probability, will extend over several hundred yards, and 

 he will generally" end it in one of two ways : first by go- 

 ing directly to some cover, such as a thicket, by the side 

 of a log, in a brush-heap, or in the top of a fallen tree : or 

 secondly, by doubling back for a few yards, and pitching 

 down a little to one side of his line of flight. Then when 

 flushed, follow the bird with your eyes on his line of flight, 

 and follow on, endeavouring to find his hiding-place ; keep 

 on his line of flight until he is flushed or passed; but if you 

 suspect that you have overrun him, work back a few 

 yards, ofi* and on one side of his line of flight, and then 

 on the other if necessary. By following these instruc- 

 tions it is quite possible to flush a single bird three, four, 

 or five times, and it is quite likely for you to secure a few 



