GROUSE. 109 



square are used for the capture of ptarmigan, and they are 

 so numerous that ten thousand have been taken during a 

 single season lasting from November to April. 



In reference to the former snare, and showing how the 

 same idea occurs to different people, it may be mentioned 

 that the Aleut Indians of Canada use snares of twisted deer 

 sinew made into a running loop and attached to a pole 

 nicely balanced between two branches, the noose end held 

 down by means of a small pin tied to the snare. Rushes are 

 then piled on each side of the tracks in which the grouse 

 run, so that they have to pass through openings in which 

 the snares are set ; a touch loosens the pin, and the heavier 

 end of the pole falls, hanging the bird in the air. Probably 

 the willow grouse is here spoken of a bird that is not 

 uncommon in the London shops, and very numerous in the 

 Canadian "backwoods." 



An allied bird shows equally little appreciation of danger. 

 A writer on caribou hunting in Forest and Stream, says : 

 " Just after crossing Murray's Brook, passing through some 

 heavy timber, we flushed from the trail a spruce partridge, 

 which alighted on a limb about eight feet from the ground. 

 William was at first going to throw his axe at it, but Joseph 

 urged him to snare it. A pole was cut and trimmed, and a 

 noose made from a bit of salmon twine tied to the end of it. 

 While this was being done, the simple little bird sat cuddled 

 up on the limb, unconscious of danger, not even looking at 

 us. When all was ready, William took the pole, and 

 stepping quietly up to the tree passed the noose over its 

 head, and dragged the innocent fowl from its perch." This 

 process repeated several times, always with success, would 

 seem to owe its practicability to the tameness of game in- 

 habiting a region where human footsteps rarely penetrate. 



I have been led somewhat far afield, and fear space will 

 only admit of a glance at the " dodges " by which red grouse 

 are trapped, to the chagrin of honest sportsmen, and the 

 spoiling of not a few shootings. Tramps and loafers from 



