1 66 A PLEA FOR THE RUFFED GROUSE. 



far as present British field sports are concerned, I 

 believe they are correct, but should the ruffed grouse 

 be introduced, and the sportsman once experience 

 the suddenness of the flush of these birds, the velocity 

 and irregularity of their flight, the uncertainty of 

 their movements after taking wing, and the beauty 

 and size of the game, they would assuredly insert a 

 saving clause in their decision, or change their 

 opinions. Much as I have said in favour of the 

 American partridge, with equal fervour I can ad- 

 vance in regard to the ruffed grouse, still they both 

 are very different, but the nearest explanation I can 

 at present think of is that the former is essentially 

 adapted to the requirements of the veteran sports- 

 man, while the pursuit of the latter will tax all the 

 strength of limb and impetuous ardour of our 

 younger enthusiasts ; the one is game that will 

 afford the most delightful pastime, similar to hare- 

 hunting with beagles, while the other will demand 

 in its successful pursuit the energy of the highly- 

 bred, dashing, courageous foxhound. I doubt not 

 many, I believe all, of the warm admirers of shoot- 

 ing will agree with me, that there is a superlative 

 pleasure in making a mixed bag, now a mallard, 

 next a woodcock, perchance, thirdly, a partridge, 

 and so forth loading your discharged barrels, 

 scarcely knowing at what species of game they will 

 next be used. Yes, truly, constant novelty and 

 change is a great additional attraction, even to field 

 sports, and with our demesnes, parks, and forests 

 inhabited by a goodly number of both these varieties, 

 ruffed grouse and American partridge, in addition 

 to their present tenants, the cravings of the most 

 insatiable ought to be satisfied; and at a very trifling 

 expense and trouble these introductions could be 

 accomplished. 



I should not, however, neglect to mention a draw- 

 back that this superb game bird possesses, viz., that 



