PKAIKIE-CHICKEN SHOOTING. 207 



a severe rating. In prairie-chicken shooting I have fre- 

 quently observed, and on this occasion it was a corroboration 

 of the fact, that during the heat of mid-day, or immediately 

 afterwards, pinnated grouse are seldom or never to be found 

 near cultivation ; why, I cannot say, but they always 

 appear in an unaccountable manner to have transferred 

 themselves to the uninterrupted prairie. 



Our lengthened tramp had now brought us to ground 

 more irregular, with vegetation more rank, and sparsely 

 sprinkled with dwarf osier and willow, the surface being 

 damp, and occasionally intersected with rivulets. Our 

 spirits were all becoming depressed from our want of 

 success, and even a new beat had been proposed, and was 

 on the eve of being accepted, when both dogs stood, not 

 ten yards apart, and each, apparently, on different birds. 

 This pleasing incident revived our drooping spirits, and 

 with steady, regular stride we approached them. When we 

 got up, three birds flushed, which were immediately cut 

 down ; still another and another met the same fate ; and 

 in less than five minutes nine were on the ground. These 

 were without difficulty retrieved, and the dogs ordered on 

 to find more ; scarce a hundred yards had they ranged when 

 they a second time found game, the slut leading and the 

 dog just at her shoulder, backing. It was perfectly evident 

 that we had discovered the retreat of the prairie chickens ; 

 water or solitude had undoubtedly caused them to assemble 

 here. 



Soon we got to the dogs, and never in the course of my 

 experience did I see a sharper half hour's work. Bird after 

 bird rose, and was knocked over : scarcely had we time to 



