SHARP-TAILED GROUSE, ETC. 183 



shades upon the upper parts, and the downy young differ 

 from all other grouse in their pale, chestnut-brown color, 

 mottled with black, forming six irregular stripes down 

 the rump. As the spruce grouse commonly rears two 

 broods in a season, the young of the first brood will be 

 found to have attained almost their full growth by the 

 middle of August. Where shall we look for them? They 

 wander more from day to day than do the sharp-tails. 

 In the morning and at evening, the young birds may be 

 found near some mountain brook. They are now free 

 from parental care, and, during August and September, 

 afford first-rate sport, and act like game birds. They lie 

 well to the dogs, but will not allow the shooter to walk 

 .over them before they can be flushed. Flying swiftly, 

 but not far, they afford good wing-shots. They are, 

 moreover, in best condition for the table. Again, the 

 brood will not allow itself to be scattered for any length 

 of time. Their days are spent away up among the pines. 

 An hour or two before sunset, they come down to the 

 stream to drink, and remain in the underbrush all night, 

 returning to the mountains soon after sunrise. They 

 travel on the wing, and sportsmen who lie in wait for 

 them at the opens which they are obliged to cross are 

 usually rewarded with good bags. 



For hunting them we shall load with 1-J ounces of No. 

 8 shot; and high hunting-boots will be a convenience, as 

 we may have streams to wade. We shall certainly have 

 to clamber over rocks, and make our way through thick- 

 ets, before we find them at their midday meal; but in 

 this exhilarating atmosphere such tramps are not hard 

 work, and as we climb higher and higher, and, now and 

 again, turn to get views of the green hills, with snow- 

 clad crests, of timber-lined canons opening upon the 

 desert of a pearly haze a boundless sea, upon whose 

 breast the distant purple-peaks seem inverted like islands 



