THE HEATH HEN 11 



usually fixed at five dollars, which leaves a fair 

 margin of profit for the merchant. 



In some of the places where the eastern race 

 once lived birds from the prairies have been re- 

 leased, but little has been said concerning them 

 and the result of the experiment is not gener- 

 ally known. Probably they have not increased 

 to the extent of becoming a pest to the farmers 

 on whose lands they dwell ! 



By no means the equal of the ruffed grouse 

 (to the writer's thinking the standard of game 

 bird excellence) in game qualities either of 

 brain or wing power, still the Chicken is a fine 

 bird and those sportsmen who are privileged to 

 shoot them are to be envied for many a pleasant 

 outing. We of New England have our compen- 

 sation, however, and should never complain 

 while wise laws and their growing respect 

 among our people combine to keep up our stock 

 of ruffed grouse. 



For the most part the Prairie Hen of the 

 west is a dweller in the open rolling plains, tak- 

 ing to the timber only on rare occasions for shel- 

 ter from the weather or when much harassed. 

 The habits of the eastern species are in the 



