A Sportsman 9 



until late years existed upon some of the small islands 

 of the Atlantic Coast. 



The male bird has on each side of the neck a dis- 

 tensible orange-colored sac, which at mating season 

 it inflates and dilates with a single booming sound, 

 which is supposed to be very attractive to the gentler 

 bird, or of challenging quality to its own kind. 



When rising, it flies very evenly, presenting a fine 

 mark for the sportsman. It has a most remarkable 

 quahty in its ability upon a comparatively bare 

 ground to hide itself from observation. I have often 

 observed this feature when without a dog I have 

 marked down and followed a covey from a short flight. 

 Approaching cautiously imtil I stood in the place of 

 descent I have looked in vain for the birds which I 

 knew were immediately about me, in fact almost under 

 my feet, and I have stood for minutes gazing intently 

 upon every nubbin of earth and spear of grass for a 

 bird and not one could I see. Advancing, finally, one 

 would fly up within a few feet of me, which would be a 

 signal for the balance to rise, and ofE they would go 

 from aU arovmd me. 



I do not accoimt the prairie chicken — though very 

 tender and juicy when young — as particularly at- 

 tractive for continuous eating, or in any way equal 

 to the white meat of the ruffed grouse or partridge, 

 which to my taste is superior, when in condition and 

 well kept, to any bird in permanence of appetite hold. 

 I have observed in the latter bird a marked differ- 

 ence in flavor, in favor of those of the Atlantic Coast 

 over those of the Pacific. The latter I have often 

 found too highly flavored with odors of various kinds 

 arising from their particular food. 



