PINNATED GROUS. 27 



he can help it by manure, the best disposition is to let it grow 

 up to forest again. Experience has proved, that in a term of 

 forty or fifty years, the new growth of timber will be fit for the 

 axe. Hence it may be perceived, that the reproduction of trees, 

 and the protection they afford to Heath-hens would be perpetual; 

 or in other words, not circumscribed by any calculable time; 

 provided the persecutors of the latter would be quiet. 



" Beneath these trees grow more dwarfish oaks, overspread- 

 ing the surface, sometimes with here and there a shrub, and 

 sometimes a thicket. These latter are from about two to ten 

 feet in height. Where they are the principal product, they are 

 called in common conversation brush, as the flats on which they 

 grow are termed Brushy plains. Among this hardy shrubbery 

 may frequently be seen the creeping vegetable named the par- 

 tridge-berry covering the sand with its lasting verdure. In 

 many spots the plant which produces hurtle-berries, sprout up 

 among the other natives of the soil. These are the more impor- 

 tant, though I ought to inform you that the hills reaching from 

 east to west, and forming the spine of the island, support kal- 

 mias, hickories, and many other species; that I have seen aza- 

 lias and andromedas as I passed through the wilderness; and 

 that where there is water, crane-berries, alders, beeches, map- 

 les, and other lovers of moisture, take their stations. 



6 ' This region, situated thus between the more thickly in- 

 habited strips or belts on the north and south sides of the island, 

 is much travelled by wagons, and intersected accordingly by a 

 great number of paths. 



"As to the birds themselves, the information I possess scarce- 

 ly amounts to an entire history. You, who know the difficulty 

 of collecting facts, will be the most ready to excuse my defici- 

 encies. The information I give you is such as I rely on. For 

 the purpose of gathering the materials, I have repeatedly visited 

 their haunts. I have likewise conversed with several men who 

 were brought up at the precincts of the grouse-ground, who had 

 been witnesses of their habits and manners, who were accus- 



