The Dusky Grouse 417 



the target or the imaginary game on which you 

 try them, suddenly become very dim when you 

 raise them on the head of this old cock. They 

 were bad enough on other grouse perching lower 

 and in thinner trees. But now you have to look 

 harder for the sights than for the game. You 

 may have discovered this before on deer in the 

 distant aisles of the forest or on antelope in the 

 dancing heat of the plain ; but it is far worse now, 

 especially as you often have to hold the rifle 

 almost vertically, with the sunlight streaming 

 down the sights. And often the woods are so 

 dense there is not light enough even if the mark 

 were large and clear. Then comes that provok- 

 ing instant when you find yourself pulling the 

 trigger, knowing it is a little off the centre, and 

 realizing so well that nothing but the centre can 

 be relied on. All these things contribute to 

 make this grouse a bird to gladden the heart of 

 those who love the woods more for what cannot 

 be done than for what can, and, though it is a bird 

 that rarely justifies a special trip for its pursuit 

 like the quail, it is still a bright enough light in 

 the forest to be counted a true game-bird. 



