THE PTXXATED GROUSE. 119 



as gave my darling companion setters the very best 

 opportunities of showing their sagacity and careful 

 education to the greatest advantage. In my previ- 

 ous notice of the ruffed grouse {I'efrao iimbelli(s)^ I 

 have stated that I do not believe this bird (the pin- 

 nat-ed grouse) so Avorthy of acclimatization as the 

 last mentioned ; and why ? he disregards distance 

 in his late autumnal flights ; and therefore where 

 shooting ranges are limited by bounds, unless the 

 proprietors on every side would mutually agree for 

 their introduction and protection, I fear that the 

 labors of one landowner in introducing and propa- 

 gating them would be fraught with dissatisfaction, 

 as his neighbors would enjoy almost as much as 

 himself the benefit of his expense and trouble. But 

 for all that, the pinnated grouse is most worthy of 

 our attention ; he is truly a most noble bird, and 

 affords the sportsman the best of sport, till the 

 cold winds preceding winter cause him to pack, in 

 the same manner as our red and black game, when 

 their wariness becomes so great that naught but 

 quick shooting and Ely's green cartridges arc likely 

 to help the laborer to produce a bag remunerative 

 for his toil. That this bird could be acclimated here 

 there is no doubt, for he is capable of withstanding 



