GROUSE-SHOOTING ON THE PRAIRIES. 303 



bred, swift pointers of the new improved stamp, are the 

 best dogs for the sportsman's use. 



The best way of hunting these birds, is to begin on the 

 stubbles and cornfield edges in the morning, while the 

 coveys are on the feed, and to drive them out and mark 

 them on the open prairie, where they will scatter widely, 

 often allowing themselves to be pointed singly, and rarely 

 rising above two or three together. They flush strongly 

 on a sharp pinion, and get under way in an instant, but 

 they fly as straight as a bee-line, whether crossing or going 

 away from the gun. The majority of the shots at birds 

 in September are within thirty yards, and it is rarely that 

 one is required to try a shot at above forty. At either of 

 these distances No. 5 will stop nineteen shots out of twenty 

 out of a really good close-shooting gun, if it be held 

 straight. If not, the fault of the shooter, and not the 

 wildness of the game, is blamable. 



In October, the grouse becomes wilder, yet there are 

 still many calm, warm days, with a light and pleasant breeze, 

 when the birds will still lie and afford sport ; though at 

 this time of the season cartridges in both barrels are 

 decidedly commendable, and even these will sometimes 

 fail to stop an old cock grouse, when he gets under way 

 at fifty yards, and goes away before the wind with a crow 

 of defiance, as who should say, " Catch me, if you can." 



Many persons use ten-pound guns of 9 or 10 gauge for 

 grouse-shooting ; but, unless they are men of great size, 

 strength and endurance, I by no means advise the adop- 

 tion of so formidable a weapon. An ordinary sized piece 

 of 14 gauge, 30 to 31 inch barrels, and 7 to 8 Ibs. weight, 



