GROUSE-SHOOTING ON THE PRAIRIES. 305 



is no objection to using two, or even three brace together, 

 where there is range enough ; but I should myself prefer, 

 however strong my kennel, to use a single brace in the fore- 

 noon, and after luncheon, when the first dogs were becoming 

 dull, if not tired, to start fresh with a second team. In the 

 afternoon, the birds will be found again on the feeding 

 grounds, whence they were driven in the morning; and 

 where there are pea-fields, great sport may be looked for 

 with confidence until nearly sunset. 



The sportsman must remember that he has to deal 

 with a strong, hardy bird though he is said less frequently 

 to carry away his death-wound than any member of his 

 family, some of which, the quail especially, will fly off for 

 a mile or more on an unflagging pinion, and literally die in 

 mid air and one which springs and is off like a flash of 

 lightning. He must shoot, therefore, on the first sight, 

 and that a sharp and quick one, yet coolly. For if he 

 hope to kill, the muzzle must be laid so straight, that the 

 object at thirty yards shall be exactly in the centre of the 

 scattering charge. The dispersed pellets of the outer cir- 

 cumference will but sting him ineffectually. If he be 

 crossing you, a yard's allowance in advance of him will 

 not be too much at forty paces, and if you fetch him so, a 

 beautiful sight it is to see him skate down at a long 

 tangent, and rebound stone-dead from the dry earth of 

 the prairie. 



