CHAPTER VI. 



RUFFED-GROUSE SHOOTING. 



HITHKRTO we have been concerned with the sport 

 to be had in pursuit of game-birds, pinnated grouse, 

 and quail, which are found in the neighborhood of 

 cultivated farms, and, as regards the latter, often 

 in the immediate vicinity of the habitations of man. 

 We now come to one whose favorite haunts are 

 wild, solitary places not frequently intruded upon, 

 and almost always lying remote from thickly- 

 settled sections of country. The ruffed grouse is a 

 very handsome bird, and in situations where it is 

 seldom shot at it seems to take a sort of pride in 

 exhibiting its beauty in a stately and graceful 

 manner. It weighs about a pound and a half; is 

 plump on the breast; and its flesh, white, juicy, 

 and delicate, is delicious eating. It is usually half 

 spoiled in city restaurants by splitting and broiling. 

 It ought to be roasted and served with bread-sauce. 

 The ruffed grouse is extensively distributed from 



east to west, but is nowhere found in any great 

 107 



