ERRATIC HABITS OF PRAIRIE-FOWL. 199 



years ago, they abounded ; it is more than doubtful that 

 one can now be found in that State. The pinnated grouse 

 lias abandoned its old haunts, like the Indian, and removes 

 every season farther to the westward, to avoid the society 

 of the pale-faced interloper. Fortunately, all game does 

 not thus dread the stranger's presence, for as civilization 

 increases so does the partridge, and the familiar call of 

 " Bob White " will soon entirely supplant the deep, musical, 

 but strange booing of the prairie-fowl east of the Mis- 

 sissippi. 



To get sport nowadays, the ultimate western edge of In- 

 diana and the State of Illinois, for the Eastern sportsman, 

 are undoubtedly the nearest points. But even after having 

 traveled thus far, if you desire results commensurate with 

 your trouble, rest not near the track of the iron horse, but 

 pursue, to the right or left, your course till you find people 

 who still talk of the cars* as seven-day wonders, and re- 

 port as a marvel, that one still night, a month ago, Hans 

 or Jaques heard them whistle. When such originals have 

 been found, if heavy bags are desired, till then, and not till 

 then, call a halt. 



The prairie-fowl are very erratic in their habits, and the 

 situations in which they abound one season may be almost 

 entirely deserted the next. It has often puzzled me to ac- 

 count for this strange uncertainty in their choice, and I 

 have thus far failed to satisfy my mind, unless the burning 

 of the grass, or inundations, to which the Western country 

 is particularly subject, can be accepted as a reason. A few 

 years ago a low prairie close to my dwelling was most am- 

 ply stocked with prairie-fowl, so much so that I used to 

 limit my bag to one dozen, and seldom did it take more 

 than an hour to obtain this number. Next year, on the 



* Railroads. 



