American Game 47 



country to join them in ring hunts. They round up a 

 large section of the country and slaughter rabbits. 

 Thousands of these animals are killed off each winter by 

 this unsportsmanlike method, but it is excused on the 

 ground of being necessary for the protection of crops. 

 Although the slaughter is great at these ring hunts, the 

 rabbits become as numerous as ever in a few months. 



Mountain grouse are usually to be found in great 

 numbers in the principal mountain ranges of the state, 

 high up at the heads of small running streams, or where 

 water is to be found. 



The only part of the state where the prairie-hen 

 (pinnated grouse) are to be found is in the Wet moun- 

 tain valleys (Fremont and Custer counties). They are 

 undoubtedly the genuine pinnated grouse, and how they 

 got there is a great mystery. They are not found in 

 any great numbers. A few years ago a number of Vir- 

 ginia quail were turned out in the Gunnison valley in 

 the vicinity of Delta, and have recently become quite 

 plentiful, but, as previously stated, they are at present 

 protected by law. Quail are also found in the vicinity 

 of Denver. 



Along the Platte river within easy access of Denver, 

 and in the many lakes within a radius of fifty miles, a 

 good bag of ducks can be made by using blinds and 

 decoys. The varieties here found consist of mallard, 

 canvasback, redhead, butterball, blue- and green- 

 winged teal, widgeon, and all the migratory ducks. 

 Snipe are plentiful here, also plover and curlew. 

 There are many geese. Some are killed on the Platte, 

 but the best hunting for them is near the foothills of 

 Boulder and Larimer counties. 



