252 FRANK FORESTERS FIELD SPORTS. 



I never in my life heard a sportsman advocate shooting Quail 

 in July, because it is easier to kill them then, than in November. 



Again, that it is not impossihle to kill Grouse — Prairie Hen — 

 in the autumn and winter, is rendered sufficiently evident by the 

 quantity of these birds, killed with shot, which are exposed an- 

 nually for sale in the New York and Philadelphia markets, over 

 and above all those which are consumed in their native regions. 



Lastly, the reasoning on the number of the birds, is precisely 

 that which has led to their annihilation in the Eastern and Mid- 

 land States, and even in Kentucky, and which is equally applicable 

 to every species of game in every district where it is abundant. 



I have heard the very same sort of talk held by countrymen, 

 in defence of the vile practice of shooting Woodcock in spring, 

 where there were then thousands of those birds. The conse- 

 quence of that talk is, that there are now none in those regions. 



The truth is, that until the middle of October, the young birds 

 are not very strong on the wing, — after that period they become 

 gradually wilder and stronger, and take longer flights, some- 

 times even to the distance of two or three miles in open country. 



Their flight is less rapid than that of the Rufted Grouse, 

 though of the same character. It does not make so loud a 

 whirring as it first rises, but once on the wing, uses the same 

 straight even course, maintained for some distance by frequent 

 beats of the wings, after which it will float foi several hundred 

 yards at a time on balanced pinions, with the velocity gathered 

 from its previous course. It is said very rarely to pass over the 

 person who flushes it, even by the most sudden surprise. 



It feeds on stubbles and in maize-fields, and is to be hunted 

 for in the vicinity of such grounds, where it will be found in the 

 greatest abundance. On open prairie-grounds, the highest and 

 speediest rangers are, of course, the best dogs over which to 

 shoot the Grouse, as is the case with the Scottish red game, 

 provided always that the animal has good nose enough to stand 

 them at a long distance, and is staunch enough to allow the 

 sportsman to come up from a distance, without moving on, or 

 flushinor his birds. 



