Ruffed Grouse. 211 



quiet, but my position was fast becoming 

 uncomfortable. An edge of rock was boring 

 into the middle of my back ; another sharp 

 piece had done its level best to penetrate 

 the back of my head, and a jagged stump 

 had worked just as far into my leg as it 

 could possibly get, so that I had to move. 

 The grouse all seemed alarmed at the 

 sight. They sat straight and motionless 

 among the vines, but none flew. For 

 several minutes they remained in this 

 position, and knowing that I was discov- 

 ered I arose, expecting to see all of them 

 dart off at once. This they did not do, 

 however, but started slowly one at a time, 

 and sailed off only a few rods into the 

 woods. 



