136 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING 



as is known, their habits are closely alike, though about 

 the present species not very much has been written. 



Unless they should greatly change in habits, neither 

 the Canada grouse of the East nor the Franklin's 

 grouse of the West is likely ever to offer much sport 

 to the gunner. These little birds are so gentle and 

 confiding that they hardly take the trouble to move out 

 of the intruder's way; they will stand on the ground 



TAIL OF FRANKLIN S GROUSE 



or a limb to have a dozen shots fired at them, or may 

 be pelted with stones and sticks without manifesting 

 great alarm. I knew of one at which several rifle 

 shots were fired, the last of which cut off one of the 

 bird's feet. It staggered on its perch, and then, re- 

 gaining its balance, stood there on one foot, apparently 

 wondering what had happened. It is often possible 

 to capture these birds by means of a noose tied to a 

 pole six or eight feet long, by means of which the 

 noose can be slipped over the head. 



It used to be not unusual, and no doubt in many lo- 



