THE HEATH HEN 13 



grounds must be sought out to make a good 

 showing, and so each year the Chickens are 

 thinned out in their old haunts or driven far- 

 ther west. Unless existing game laws are re- 

 spected and enforced even more strictly than 

 heretofore the day is not far distant when these 

 fowl will be as rare in the west as to-day in their 

 former eastern homes. A feeder on grains and 

 seeds, berries and various insects, its flesh is 

 tender and of good flavor during its happier sea- 

 son though growing a trifle strong during the 

 winter months. It is considered a prime table 

 delicacy and thousands are killed for the mar- 

 ket each year, which fact leaves a fine chance 

 for game law improvement. 



At the beginning of the shooting season the 

 Chickens lie very close, often running along 

 just in front of the dogs with heads showing 

 above the short grass, clucking nervously and 

 springing into the air by twos and threes with 

 steady and only moderately speedy flight, so 

 that a quick shot may use several cartridges be- 

 fore all are gone. It often happens that some 

 old male remains to rise unexpectedly when all 

 the covey is thought to have gone, and catch- 

 ing the tyro with empty or open gun, as often 



