North American Grouse. 



645 



_~ - ^_. 





ACROSS THE PATH. 



The ruffed grouse partakes of 

 the sturdy nature of the woods he 

 frequents. He is a real North- 

 erner, and gleaned his living with 

 the Puritan among the rocks and scaurs of New England. Too proud 

 to migrate, he battled with the storms of the "stern and rock-bound 

 coast," and when winter snows fell heavily, and the searching wind 

 penetrated even the tangle of the spruce-swamp, he would find a lee 

 on the ground, and suffer himself to be snowed under, and quietly 

 wait under his white blanket till the tempest ceased. Sometimes he 

 dashes out before the plodding woodman, all covered with snow- 

 \ leaving his little shelter plainly visible in the drift. 

 The true shooting season of this bird begins in the brisk and 

 golden autumn. The sportsman following him needs an active step 

 and a wondrous quick eye and hand to secure him. No bird that 

 is oftener missed. He rarely lies to a dog. A careful pointer 

 will show si^ns of game, and commence trailing him, for the scent is 

 strong; but he bursts away well ahead of the dog, generally flying 

 in a straight line. An experienced sportsman will take the shot, no 

 matter how long, and carefully noting the line of flight, will flush 

 him again, and again fire at him. After a few salutes of this kind, 

 41A 



