SHOOTING THE PRAIRIE GROUSE 405 
and it is by this simple test that we may distinguish 
young from old. In an old bird the lower mandible 
always sustains the weight of the body without 
breaking. 
The old dog is pointing again. A single bird rises 
this time, and sails off uninjured, though I give him 
the contents of both barrels. How easy it is to miss 
them in this cover, in spite of their size. We move on. 
There has been a covey about here, as numerous 
tracks tend to show. It will take careful work to put 
them up now, as they have doubtless taken the alarm 
ere this, and are keeping well ahead of us. There they 
go again, off to the left. If we flush another bunch 
in this cover they will probably get up all together, 
as is their habit after being so disturbed. Try to pick 
your birds, for though they rise with a thunderous roar 
of wings, and look very large, you will find, as in 
quail shooting, that pot shots can seldom be made. 
Here is the edge of the field. I think we will work 
around to where we entered, and after trying that little 
patch between here and the house I will wait until to- 
ward sundown, when they come out, and perhaps I 
may get a little flight shooting. 
Chickens feed quietly among the corn, rarely be- 
traying their presence, save to the keen nose of your 
dog. Once flushed, they lie very close for some time 
after alighting, and will not scatter until thoroughly 
satisfied that danger is past. This, however, is only 
in cover where they have been used to feeding undis- 
turbed. Later in the season, when constant gunning 
