128 The Grouse Family 



mercifully despatched. That settled the rivalry. 

 Anybody who could grab ruffed grouse in this 

 parabolic manner and land soft, clearly outclassed 

 the writer, and the citizens hardened their hearts 

 against him amid revilings. It was indeed a 

 bitter dose to swallow! Years later, when the 

 writer had whiskers, he was turning a corner in 

 the same town, when something like a brown 

 shell came humming by. A naturally quick hand 

 had gained speed from sparring, and out it flashed. 

 There was an amazing shock, but it closed tightly 

 on a grouse, and it made the bones crack before 

 it let go too ! 



R-e-v-e-n-g-e ! And hey for the rival, at last out- 

 done ! That worthy examined the bird, demanded 

 the story of its capture, listened attentively, 

 spat, returned the bird, spat again, and crisply 

 remarked : " Yer a liar ! I sold that bird to 

 Blank four days ago ! " 



Some fellows are simply insufferable ! 



After the young grouse have reached maturity, 

 they will remain with the mother throughout the 

 winter unless too much harassed. The old 

 males join the broods late in the fall, and each lot 

 selects its winter range. Before the severe cold 

 and deep snow they are apt to favor high-lying 

 cover, growths of beeches, to which the leaves 

 cling long, brier patches, and brushy ground. At 



