PRAIRIE AND FOREST. 



distance in his late autumnal flights; and therefore 

 where shooting ranges are limited by bounds, unless 

 the proprietors on every side would mutually agree 

 for their protection, I fear that the labours of the 

 introducer in the cause of acclimatisation would be 

 fraught with dissatisfaction. But for all that, the pin- 

 nated grouse is deserving of attention; for he is truly 

 a most noble bird, and affords the best of sport, till the 

 cold winds preceding winter cause them to pack, in 

 the same manner as our red and black game ; when 

 their wariness becomes so great that naught but quick 

 shooting and Ely's green cartridges are likely to help 

 the labourer to produce a bag remunerative for his 

 toil. That this bird could be acclimated here there 

 is no doubt, for he is capable of withstanding great 

 changes of temperature ; is not particular as to choice 

 of ground as long as it is open, and a sufficiency of food 

 can be obtained. 



Although its range now is confined to the prairie 

 country of the United States, not being found, with 

 two exceptions, till the edge of the Grand Prairie 

 is reached, still formerly it was equally abundant all 

 over the open lands, on the edge of the Atlantic sea- 

 board ; still, however. Long Island and Martha's vine- 

 yard possess some remnants, who long since would have 

 disappeared but for the protection and care of the 

 landowners, who have endeavoured to prevent, if pos- 

 sible, their extinction. I cannot well imagine any place 

 so bleak in winter as the scrub uplands of the two 

 aforementioned islands, unless perhaps Mull and Jura 

 on our Scotch coast. The bird that could with impu- 

 nity withstand the rigours of the cold in the former, 

 could doubtless do the same in the latter. The pin- 



