212 PBAIBIE AND FOBEST. 



that it is next to impossible to see them before they are on 

 the whig. 



In the undergrowth which springs up in that portion of 

 the country where the timber has been destroyed by fire, I 

 ever found them very abundant, it being almost impossible 

 to wander half a mile through such openings without 

 flushing a covey. As these generally occur in the lumber 

 regions, where the winters are particularly long and 

 rigorous, far exceeding in severity those of Scotland, the 

 hardiness of this bird cannot be doubted. In the Alleg- 

 hanies and all the southern ranges of hills of the United 

 States, it is also abundant, where, if the winters are less 

 severe, the heat in summer is sometimes excessive, proving 

 that the ruffed grouse is capable of enduring great varieties 

 of climate. 



The palate of the most fastidious epicure cannot fail to 

 be gratified with the appearance of this game on the table, 

 the flesh being extremely delicate, with a strong flavour of 

 our red grouse. I have eaten it cooked in every con- 

 ceivable manner, and whether it be simply roasted over a 

 camp fire, or form a portion of an omnium gatherum stew, 

 it will be found alike acceptable. Although scarcity of 

 food may compel this grouse to change its beat, still it is 

 not migratory, as stated by some naturalists. This sup- 

 position has arisen from their being found in great numbers 

 during summer and autumn on the scrub barren land, 

 which they leave as soon as the more severe weather com- 

 mences, for the shelter of the dense timber. A family of 

 these birds I was acquainted with for a year. On their 

 range there was an abundance of food and water, and 



