36 FEATHERED GAME 



woods. Add the fact that the bird itself, now 

 full-fledged and confident in the powers of its 

 wings, lies closer at this latter part of the sea- 

 son, thus giving a much better chance, and one 

 may easily see why the sportsman will prefer 

 this month. Many are the fine opportunities 

 on the rocky hillsides where the leafless 

 birches show their white shafts against the dull 

 gray ledges; where the dead leaves, frost- 

 killed and damp on the mossy rocks, give back 

 no sound to the stealthy foot-fall of the gunner. 

 Among the bare brown stems and boughs the 

 grouse goes away like a shooting star and is 

 seen much more clearly than in September's 

 profusion of green leaves. It is well for two 

 men to work together in such a place, as the 

 Grouse will commonly fly up over the ledge 

 when flushed, and there will be more chance of 

 capturing the birds if one gun be posted on the 

 lower level and its companion be on the ridge. 

 If the bird is not shot at the chances are that 

 it will alight just over the brow of the hill and 

 lie close next time. If, however, the gunner be 

 above him when he darts away he must trust to 

 luck and his own eyes to tell him the direction 

 which his intended victim takes, as commonly 



