THE PINNATED GROUSE. 123 



back, are feathered down the legs to the feet, have 

 beautifully set-on small heads, with a slight crest, and 

 bright yellow iris. When standing, their attitude is 

 very erect, but graceful, while their flight is strong 

 and swift, more especially late in the season. On 

 being flushed, they invariably cackle, and the first 

 flight, except of young birds, is always long. In the 

 commencement of the season, and in fact as long as 

 the weather is bright and mild, they lie remarkably 

 well to dogs ; but as soon as severe and cold weath- 

 er sets in, they pack and become wild. However, 

 late in October, if you should hit upon a warm, sum- 

 mer-like day, the birds will lie so remarkably close 

 between the hours of 10 A. M. and 3 P. M., that mar- 

 velous bags can be made. 



As a delicacy, this bird can favorably compare 

 with any of the grouse family, but is dissimilar in one 

 respect from all the others, for the sooner it is 

 cooked after being killed, the more delicate and 

 savory it will be found. Even the skill of Delmo- 

 iiico, in New York, the justly celebrated restaurant 

 proprietor, with all his knowledge of cuisine, can not 

 impart the flavor that the same bird would have 

 had from the hands of the most ignorant cook, pro- 

 vided it was served a few hours after it was killed. 



