plains. As the country is settled the prairie chick- 

 ens increase in numbers, due to the improved food 

 supply and added protection from their natural 

 enemies. 



As the prairie chicken is found in open country, 

 wide-ranging dogs are used, and the hunters often 

 follow in a wagon. When the dogs "make game" 

 the hunters alight, and the fun commences. 



The prairie chicken is not a difficult bird to 

 hit, as its flight is even. In fact, it flies in much 

 the same manner as the meadow lark; beating the 

 air with its wings, and " sailing " alternately. When 

 the birds are fat they do not fly a great distance, 

 and can be " marked down " easily, and followed. 

 When unmolested they become quite tame, and 

 can be approached by a man on foot, and killed 

 with a rifle. 



As the country changes, and wheat gives place 

 to sage-brush, the prairie chickens are not so plen- 

 tiful. The sage-brush, however, is the home of our 

 largest grouse, commonly known as the "sage hen." 

 The "sage hen" is not very good to eat, as they 

 are found in the Western deserts, and their food 

 consists largely of the tender tips of the sage-brush. 

 This makes them taste sagey, and they are apt to 

 be tough. A young sage hen is fair eating if it is 

 drawn immediately after it is shot. As a game 

 bird the sage hen is not a success, as it is not very 

 plentiful. 



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