The Ruffed Grouse 109 



ruffed grouse. Not that the bird has ever held 

 out any marked inducement, or in any way what- 

 ever encouraged a closer relationship, but rather 

 because of the number and infinite variety of the 

 difficulties which have marked the progress, or 

 lack of progress, of the suit. There is an old say- 

 ing that " Blessings brighten when they take their 

 flight." If this holds good of ruffed grouse, the 

 writer gravely suspects that some of his lost grouse 

 probably by now are too incandescent for the 

 naked eye. 



Usually a haunter of the most difficult country 

 and the densest cover, this bird can be success- 

 fully pursued only by the man who can combine 

 with rapid, accurate shooting a quick perception 

 and ready resource. The grouse is wily, especially 

 in much disturbed covers, and the conditions 

 may vary with every shot. The man who can 

 average half his birds, taking them as they flush, 

 is entitled to high rank even among the best of 

 company. The writer has shot ruffed grouse in 

 most of the good sections of that tremendous 

 expanse of country which extends from ocean to 

 ocean, from the latitude of northern Pennsylvania 

 to north of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Within this 

 huge belt is to be found the cream of the shoot- 

 ing, and nowhere are there easy birds — that is, 

 after they once take wing in earnest. There, of 

 course, are uneducated grouse in remote corners. 



