THE PRAIRIE-HEN. 209 



TIME FOR SHOOTING. 



The pot-hunter who shoots for the markets hunts these birds 

 long before the broods are well grown ; the real sportsman, how- 

 ever, does not think of going after them before the middle of Au 

 gust, when the young birds are so large that it is even difficult to 

 tell them from the old ones, save by their bills and feet. 



The various broods remain separate and distinct till the latter 

 part of September or early in October, when they unite together, 

 forming packs in many instances containing several hundred. 



As observed under the following heading, prairie-hens are not 

 much esteemed during the winter months, and consequently are 

 not generally sought after by the epicurean sportsmen, who deem 

 it but just and right that our game should be killed only at those 

 periods when it is in its best condition. 



THEIR FLESH. 



The comparative merits of the meat of these two varieties of 

 grouse are often a subject of discussion among sportsmen and 

 epicures, whose opinions are often entirely at variance. We know 

 very well that the tastes of people are much influenced by circum- 

 stances, and we are all apt to relish that most which it is most 

 difficult to obtain ; and the residents of those parts where prairie- 

 hens are abundant, as a matter of course, generally prefer the white 

 and delicate meat of the ruffed grouse, while those that live in the 

 Atlantic States, and seldom or never see a prairie-hen, greatly 

 prefer the dark meat of the latter bird, as it is to them a greater 

 novelty and luxury than the other. They are considered a great 

 delicacy at the East, and, when exposed for sale, command extra- 

 vagant prices, seldom less than five dollars a brace ; although we 

 have purchased superior ones in the Philadelphia markets for two 

 dollars, and even less.* We do not think them equal, by any 



* The price of these birds, since the opening of the various direct avenues to 

 the West, is very much reduced, and will continue so till the Eastern demand 

 causes them to be exterminated at all accessible points. 



14 



