EXTERMINATING THE rRAIRlE-CHICKEN. 71 



fowl. He was one of those slow, deliberate cases, al- 

 ways taking snuff after the bird rose. There would 

 be a glitter of fluttering wings as the game shot into 

 air. Down would come the long musket, out would 

 come the snuff-box, and the old soldier would go 

 through the present, make ready, take snuff, take 

 aim, and fire, all as coolly as if on parade. The old 

 musket often hung fire from five to ten seconds, and 

 the premonitory flash could be seen as the shaky 

 flint clattered down on the pan. The veteran always 

 patiently covered the bird until the charge got out. 

 The recoil was tremendous, and the old man often 

 went down before the bird ; but such positions, he as- 

 serted, were taken voluntarily, as ones of rest. Some 

 said that the gun had been known to kick him again 

 after he was down." 



Sachem's narration was here cut short by the dogs 

 again pointing. This was followed by the usual bom- 

 bardment, which over, the bag showed the mag- 

 nificent aggregate of two chickens for the entire 

 day's sport. 



The prairie-chicken is now extinct in many of the 

 Western States where it was once well known. 

 Usually, during the first few years of settlement, it 

 increases rapidly, and is often a nuisance to pioneer 

 farmers. Perhaps, when the latter first settle in a 

 country, a few covies may be seen ; under the favora 

 ble influences of wheat and corn-fields, the dozens in- 

 crease to thousands and cover the land. But with 

 denser settlement come more guns, and, what is a far 

 more destructive agent, trained dogs also. Under 

 the first order of things, the farmer, with his musket, 



