CHAPTER IV. 



OMICKEN-SHOOTING CONTINUED A SCIENTIFIC PARTY TAKE THE BIRDS ON THi 



WING EVILS OF FAST FIRING — AN OLD-FASHIONED " SLOW SHOT " THH 



HABITS OP THE PRAIRIE-CHICKEN — ITS PROSPECTIVE EXTINCTION — MODE OF 

 HUNTING IT — THE GOPHER SCALP LAW. 



WE had left the road and were now driving over 

 the tine prairie skirting Webster's Mound, the 

 grass being about a foot high and affording excellent 

 cover. Taking advantage of its being matted so 

 closely from the early frosts, the old cocks hid under 

 the thick tufts and called for close work on the part 

 of our dogs. 



Back and forth across our path these intelligent 

 animals ranged, the one fifty yards or so to our right, 

 the other as many to our left, crossing and re-cross- 

 ing, with open mouths drinking in eagerly the tainted 

 breeze. This latter was in our favor, and both dogs 

 suddenly joined company and worked up into it, with 

 outstretched noses pointing to game that was evi- 

 dently close ahead. 



The pointer crawled cautiously, like a tiger, his 

 spotted belly sweeping the earth, and his tail, which 

 had been lashing rapidly an instant before, gradually 

 stiffening. He would open his mouth suddenly, 

 drink in a quick, deep draught of air, and, closing 

 the jaws again, hold it until obliged to take another 



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