n8 HUNTING TRIPS 



and killed four birds. Now, of course I 

 would not have dreamed of taking either of 

 these shots had I been out purely for sport, 

 and neither needed any more skill than 

 would be shown in killing hens in a barn- 

 yard ; but, after all, when one is hunting for 

 one's dinner he takes an interest in his suc- 

 cess which he would otherwise lack, and on 

 both occasions I felt a most unsportsman- 

 like glee when I found how many I had pot- 

 ted. 



The habits of this prairie fowl vary 

 greatly at different seasons of the year. It 

 is found pretty much everywhere within 

 moderate distance of water, for it does not 

 frequent the perfectly dry wastes where we 

 find the great sage cock. But it is equally 

 at home on the level prairie and among the 

 steep hills of the Bad Lands. When on the 

 ground it has rather a comical look, for it 

 stands very high on its legs, carries its sharp 

 little tail cocked up like a wren's and when 

 startled stretches its neck out straight; al- 



