72 GUN, KOD, AND SADDLE. 



Some authorities have placed woodcock shooting 

 first in the list, and called it the fox-hunting of those 

 pleasures in which the dog and gun form the chief 

 accessories. As far as present British field-sports 

 are concerned, I believe they are correct, but should 

 the ruffed grouse be introduced, and they once ex- 

 perienced the suddenness of their rise, the velocity 

 and irregularity of their flight, the uncertainty of 

 their movements, and the beauty and size of this 

 game when bagged, they would assuredly insert a 

 saving clause, or change their opinions in toto. Much 

 as I have said in favor of the American partridge, 

 with equal fervor I can advance the claims of the 

 ruffed grouse ; still, they both are very different, but 

 the nearest explanation I can at present think of, is 

 that the former is essentially adapted to the require- 

 ment of the veteran sportsman, while the pursuit of 

 the latter will tax all the strength of limb and im- 

 petuous ardor of our younger enthusiasts; the one 

 is game that will afford the most delightful pastime, 

 similar to hare-hunting with beagles, while the other 

 will demand in its successful pursuit all the energy 

 of the highly bred, dashing, courageous fox-hound. 

 4 1 doubt not many, I believe all, of the warm admirers 

 of shooting, will agree with me, that there is a supe- 



