CHAPTER III. 



PINNATED-GROUSE SHOOTING. 



THE pinnated grouse, commonly called prairie- 

 chicken where it is most abundant in the West, is 

 a handsome bird, weighing from two pounds to 

 two and a half pounds, sometimes nearly three 

 when it has reached mature size. It is a delicious 

 bird on the table, either when split and broiled 

 while young, the flesh being then white, or roasted 

 when of full size. It formerly prevailed in New 

 Jersey, Pennsylvania, Long Island, and Kentucky, 

 in parts where there were open heaths ; but it is 

 not now found until the valley of the Mississippi 

 io reached. There are none in Ohio, but few in 

 Indiana and Michigan ; but it is plentiful in Illi- 

 nois, Iowa, Minnesota, Kansas, Nebraska, and parts 

 of Missouri and Wisconsin. The pinnated grouse 

 is a bird of the grassy plains and great prairies, 

 and does not frequent the woodland, save on frosty 

 mornings, when it may be seen perched on trees 

 near the edges of the groves. At such times, too, 

 it will be seen perched on fences and corn-shocks. 



55 



