238 ACCESSIBLE FIELD SPORTS. 



To get sport now-a-days, the ultimate western edge 

 of Indiana and the State of Illinois, for the eastern 

 sportsman, are undoubtedly the nearest points ; but 

 even after having travelled thus far, if you desire 

 results commensurate with your trouble, rest not near 

 the track of the iron horse, but pursue, to the right or 

 left, your course till you find people who still talk of 

 the cars* as seven-day wonders, and report as a marvel, 

 that one still night, a month ago, Hans or Jacques 

 heard them whistle. When such originals have been 

 found, call a halt, unpack carefully your traps from the 

 waggon and your private store of edibles. 



The prairie chickens are very erratic in their habits, 

 and the situations in which they abound one season may 

 be almost entirely deserted the next. It has often 

 puzzled me to account for this strange uncertainty in 

 their choice, and I have thus far failed to satisfy my 

 mind, unless the burning of the grass or inundations, to 

 which the western country is particularly subject, can 

 be accepted as a reason. About two years ago a low 

 prairie close to my dwelling was most amply stocked 

 with prairie fowl, so much so that I used to limit my bag 

 to one dozen and a half, and seldom did it take more 

 than an hour to obtain this number. Last year, on the 

 same land, not one solitary bird was to be found. Now, 



* Railroads. 



