HUNTINa SEASONS. 23 



asked, why enterprising Englishmen do not try their 

 rifles on the plains of America^ by way 'of change from 

 the Highlands of Scotland ? Surely, the most slaughter- 

 seeking sportsman could hardly desire a greater profu- 

 sion of birds and animals, than can be found in those 

 wild scenes. 



The deer, both in the prairie and the forest, are in 

 best condition during the hottest months, — July, August 

 and September. They are then hunted on those days 

 following moonlight nights, in the style known as 

 'jumping;' the hunter being armed with a heavy 

 double gun, charged with good large buck-shot, about 

 the size of marrow-fat peas. 



In October a smaller bore may be used ; and with 

 good pointers, plenty of sport at quail and grouse may 

 be had. The grouse are very easy birds to kill as they 

 lie well to the dogs, and when flushed, fly in a straight 

 line, though their flight is sometimes continued for 

 more than a mile. But then on the prairies it is very 

 easy to mark them down, at least when the young 

 hunter becomes accustomed to the long^ rano^e of vision 

 which he can command. In winter they flock to- 

 gether, and both morning and evening they are to be 

 found pretty near the timber, but in the middle of the 

 day they roam far out into the prairie. 



The American hunters call the quails partridges ; and 

 these show first-rate sport to anyone provided with good 

 dogs. They fly straight and but for a short distance, 



