208 PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



thrust into the breeches fresh cartridges before we were 

 called upon to deliver our fire ; not less than a hundred 

 and fifty birds must have flushed in that space of time, out 

 of which number nearly half fell to our guns. At one 

 moment, over twenty were on the ground, waiting to be 

 picked up ; and, better than all, we did not lose a single 

 cripple, although one old cock, which had only been 

 pinioned, cost us some minutes' labour before being bagged. 



BUFFED GROUSE. 



Contrary to the last-described species, this worthy mem- 

 ber of a noble family loves the woodland glades and rocky 

 hill-sides. The verge of the prairie he may occasionally 

 visit, but let him be disturbed, his fears excited, like arrow 

 from bow he will wing his way direct to the friendly shelter 

 of the forest. 



But all woods do not suit the fastidious taste of this 

 beauty for when there exists only the fat, damp, slimy 

 bottom lands that margin so many of the south-western 

 rivers, he is not to be found. No rolling country and 

 hilly spurs are his home, where, deep in the shelter of the 

 laurel, cedar, hemlock, hazel, and birch, he can laugh at 

 his pursuers, unless they are the very quickest and best of 

 shots. But I allude to where he has known man and 

 learned to dread his presence as ominous of evil, for when 

 such is not the case, if flushed they are often satisfied to 

 settle upon the first tree in the neighbourhood, regarding 

 the intruder with looks of wonder, and remain gratifying 

 their excited curiosity till the whole covey have been shot 

 in detail. Throughout Canada West they are numerous. 



