UPLAND SHOOTING. 7,^ 



pointers, or being met with in suiricient numbers to render tlie 

 pursuit of it pleasurable or exciting. 



The single specimen which I killed, rose suddenly from the 

 ground, which was covered witli snow to the depth of a foot or 

 more, in a little dell or basin, full of tall larch and spruce-firs, 

 just as I came over the brow of the hill ; and 1 was fortunate 

 enough to kill it at long range, by a snap shot. It was a fine 

 cock bird, agreeing in all respects accurately with the above de- 

 scription, from the pages of the greatestlivingjiaturalist. 



Feeling that something more than this bare notice is due to 

 this beautiful bird, and with some faint hope that, by calling the 

 attention of sportsmen to the undoubted fact of its existence 

 within our sporting limits, I may add one to our list of game, I 

 shall proceed to quote from the author already noticed, whose 

 ornithological distinctions and descriptions I shall adopt through- 

 out this work, the following graphic account of his experience 

 as relates to this Grouse. 



I say, that I entertain but a faint hope, because among many 

 intelligent and observing friends, keen sportsmen and good shots, 

 both in Lower Canada and New Brunswick, I have never heard- 

 this Grouse named as a bird of game. In fact, I believe that no 

 bird which haunts the depths of the North x\merican wilderness 

 can, under any circumstances, afford much sport to the legiti- 

 mate pursuer, though they may be treed with cur-dogs, and 

 shot sitting, in sufficient numbers to supply markets, and to 

 satisfy the sporting aspirations of the prowling, backwoods' 

 gunner. 



" No sooner had I entered the State of Maine, than I consi- 

 dered the Canada Grouse as one of the principal objects of my 

 enquiry. Every person to whom I spoke about it, assured me 

 that it was rather abundant during the whole year, and conse- 

 quently that it bred in the country. All this I fortunately 

 proved to be quite true ; but no one told me of the difficulties I 

 should have to encounter in watching its habits ; and although I 

 ultimately succeeded in this, the task was perhaps as severe as 

 any which I ever undertook. 



