ON THE GRAND PRAIRIE. 89 



obtained a shot, although the slut ran up two birds, 

 for which she got a severe rating. In prairie chicken- 

 shooting I have frequently observed, and on this occa- 

 sion it was a corroboration of the fact, that during the 

 heat of mid- day, or immediately afterwards, pinnated 

 grouse are seldom or never to be found near cultiva- 

 tion ; why, I cannot say, but they always appear in an 

 unaccountable manner to have transferred themselves 

 to the uninterrupted prairie. 



Our lengthened tramp had now brought us to 

 ground more irregular, with vegetation more rank, 

 and sparsely sprinkled with dwarf osier and willow, 

 the surface being damp, and occasionally intersected 

 with rivulets. Our spirits were all becoming depressed 

 from our want of success, and even a new beat had been 

 proposed, and was on the eve of being accepted, when 

 both our canines stood, not ten yards apart, and each, 

 apparently, on different birds. This pleasing inci- 

 dent revived our drooping spirits, and with steady, 

 regular stride we approached the dogs. As we got to 

 them, three birds flushed, which were immediately cut 

 down ; still another, and another, met the same fate ; 

 and in less than five, minutes nine were on the ground* 

 These were without difficulty retrieved, and the dogs 

 ordered on to find more ; scarce a hundred yards had 

 they ranged when they a second time found game, the 



