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A SPORTING PARADISE 



that it is observed, its step immediately changes 

 to a rapid run, its head is lowered, the tail is 

 more widely spread, and if no convenient hiding- 

 place is at hand, it immediately takes flight with 

 as much of the whirring sound as it can produce. 

 Should, however, the grouse run into a thicket, 

 or even over a place where many dried leaves 

 lie on the ground, it suddenly squats, and remains 

 close until the danger is over, or until it is forced 

 by a dog or a sportsman to rise against its wish. 

 Sometimes, when these birds are found on the 

 sides of a steep hill, the moment they start, 

 they dive towards the foot of the declivity, 

 take a turn, and fly off in a direction so different 

 from the one expected that unless the sportsman 

 is aware of the trick, he may not see them again 

 that day. The young birds too often prove 

 equally difficult to be obtained, for as they 

 are raised from amongst the closely tangled 

 laurels they only fly a few yards, and again 

 drop among them. A smart little spaniel 

 proves the best for ruffed grouse ; for no sooner 

 does he flush a covey than they all fly up into a 

 neighbouring tree, where with fluttering wings and 

 outspread tail they look down upon the intruder. 

 On one occasion, in Alice Township, I secured 



