THE RUFFED GROUSE. 209 



yards apart, and each, apparently, on different birds. This 

 pleasing incident revived our drooping spirits, and with 

 steady, regular stride we approached them. When we got 

 up three birds flushed, which were immediately cut down ; 

 still another, and another, met the same fate ; and in less 

 than five minutes nine were on the ground. These were 

 without difficulty retrieved, and the dogs ordered on to find 

 more ; scarce a hundred yards had they ranged when they 

 a second time found game, the slut leading and the dog, 

 just at her shoulder, backing. It was perfectly evident 

 that we had discovered the retreat of the prairie-chickens. 

 Water or solitude had undoubtedly caused them to assem- 

 ble here. 



Soon we got to the dogs, and never in the course of my 

 experience did I see a sharper half-hour's work. Bird after 

 bird rose, and was knocked over ; scarcely had we time to 

 thrust into the breeches fresh cartridges before we were 

 called upon to deliver our fire ; not less than a hundred and 

 fifty birds must have been flushed in that space of time, out 

 of which number nearly half fell to our guns. At one mo- 

 ment, over twenty were on the ground, waiting to be pick- 

 ed up ; and, better than all, we did not lose a single cripple, 

 although one old cock, which had only been pinioned, cost 

 us some minutes' labor before being bagged. 



RUFFED GROUSE. 



Contrary to the last described species, this worthy mem- 

 ber of a noble family loves the woodland glades and rocky 

 hill-sides. The verge of the prairie he may occasionally 

 visit, but let him be disturbed, his fears excited, like arrow 

 from bow he will wing his way direct to the friendly shel- 

 ter of the forest. 



But all woods do not suit the fastidious taste of this 

 beauty; for when there exists only the fat, damp, slimy 



