GROUSE-SHOOTING. 83 



One of the last days that I shot last season was one of 

 the best instances of this, that has happened to me for 

 many a year. There had been rain, the birds very wild 

 and mostly on the trees. A bird arose here and there, out 

 of all range, not allowing the dog to approach within fifty 

 yards. Evening came on ; I went to the outskirts of the 

 woods, trying the underbrush and brush-heaps, here and 

 there ; at dark or nearly so, the dog came to a point near 

 a fallen tree-top, surrounded by beech saplings. I went 

 on the far side of the heap, leaving a companion behind 

 the dog. We scored seven grouse, certainly within two 

 minutes, having secured only two during the entire day. 

 It was a big hand, and we played it straight, but it was 

 a marvellous streak of luck. 



Ruffed grouse and quail in December are much alike, 

 as in that month quail are wild, often rising at first out 

 of shot ; but, by sticking to them, good sport in the end 

 may often be obtained. These two birds, late in the sea- 

 son, begin wild ; but, by following them up as long as 

 there is a chance of obtaining sport, end by becoming 

 tame, and often afford easy shots; yet in the case of 

 ruffed grouse it requires a good deal of perseverance on 

 the part of the sportsman, and caution on the part of the 

 dog, to make a good bag. 



