90 OX THE WING. 



about the last of x\ugust, or early in September, will 

 find them queer-looking birds, — bob-tailed, from hav- 

 ing lost their tail-feathers, and, as some sportsmen 

 say, quite seedy. A part of the moult, which comes 

 from them at this season, somewhat resembles Indian 

 meal, and may be observed when they are shaken. 

 They have at this time an odor peculiar to the moult- 

 ing process, and of course are not quite so good to 

 eat as at other times. While moulting, they make 

 short and rapid flights, without the ordinary sharp 

 ring, which is supposed to be given forth from the 

 tip-end of their wing-feathers. 



It is a wonder what becomes of the cocks at the 

 moulting season. The question has often been asked 

 by those who have most frequently hunted them, but 

 has never been satisfactorily answered. Although in 

 July the hunting-grounds may be full of them, at the 

 moulting season they are very scarce; and though you 

 may search in every variety of ground, you will never 

 find them in large numbers. I have occasionally dis- 

 covered a few during this period among the vines 

 and briers, where at such times they are to be found, 

 if found at all, and have noticed where, in these 

 places, they have rubbed off their tail and other 

 feathers. Generally, so thick is the network of under- 

 brush, vines, and briers, — almost like a hedge, — at 

 these places, that your dog must have good courage 

 to force himself in. A pointer will be likely to back 

 out altogether j or if he does go in, you may occasion- 

 ally hear a short cry from him when the thorns prick 

 him. 



