128 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



acute angle, so as to project itself about two feet horizontally and 

 eight or ten inches vertically from the point of entrance. 



No matter how carefully one may approach their holes in the 

 snow, the Grouse will be off before he is near, even though the 

 fleecy snow gives forth no sound perceptible to human ears. In 

 the North, one of the most formidable enemies of this species is the 

 great horned owl, which, winging its way noiseless, and observant, 

 on moonlight nights or in the gloaming, snatches many a savory 

 meal from out of the trees and under the overhanging branches. 



A good grouse dog is a rarity ; he should be thoroughly up to 

 his work, long accustomed to it, staunch, careful, and satisfied 

 with a point the instant he catches scent. The fast ranging, busy 

 youngster, no matter how fine he may be on other game, had bet- 

 ter be left at home, for he will certainly do more damage than good. 



All experienced sportsmen know how seldom it is that we meet 

 with a good snipe dog. Those only are good which have been 

 raised and broken on that game, and thus it is with dogs to be 

 worked on the Ruffed Grouse. A dog, in order to understand 

 and work properly on this game, must be broken specially for the 

 purpose, and such dogs, instead of dashing over the ground with 

 a regular beat, at a high rate of speed, as soon as they enter the 

 cover will settle down to slow, cautious work, frequently using 

 their eyes to spy out the spots where the Grouse generally lie, and 

 then getting themselves quietly to leeward, will approach very 

 cautiously with their noses to the wind, stopping the instant they 

 get the faintest scent of the game ; and then, as there is a perfect 

 rnderstanding between the shooter and his dog, the former is 

 enabled to get in position to shoot in case the bird will not lie to 

 point, as is often the case. At the first rise, when the bird starts 

 before the sportsman can get within shot, or it is missed, its 

 course should be marked with accuracy by the shooter. In 

 the East, the Ruffed Grouse are extremely wary, and it is a good 

 thing that they are so, for if they were not, they would only be 

 found in private collections and museums. It requires a great 

 deal of perseverance on the part of the sportsman to make a de- 

 cent bag. Sometimes when come upon suddenly, they squat and 

 lie close for the dog, but far more frequently they will not admit 

 of approach and make off at the first intimation of danger, run- 



