186 lewis's AMERICAN SPORTSMAN, 



far north, entirely out of the reach of our sportsmen, or con- 

 gregate, as has been asserted by many, on the wild and rugged 

 hills of the mountain-ranges, and there live a life of deep seclu- 

 sion and indolence during this annual sickness. We have heard, 

 and even read, much upon this disputed point, as to the where- 

 abouts of these birds at this time, and have come to the conclusion 

 that they do not all follow the same biddings of nature, but that 

 some remain closely concealed in their old grounds, others, per- 

 haps,- go far north, and many betake themselves to the high 

 grounds of the interior. By the expression of this opinion we are 

 sure not to go far astray from the truth, and at the same time we 

 do not compromise ourselves, or offend the peculiar doctrines of 

 any sportsman upon this subject, as we freely confess our belief, 

 or rather partial belief, in nearly all the theories yet advanced. 



In the getting up of this work for the benefit of sportsmen, we 

 wish them all to look upon us more in the light of a compiler than 

 of an author, as our great aim has been to collect from all and 

 every source the greatest amount of information to elucidate the 

 various subjects under discussion, not relying solely upon our own 

 experience and observation, but culling a little here and there from 

 every one that chance or design threw in our way. 



It is not an unusual circumstance to find cocks in the wet and 

 rich cornfields during the moulting season. Here they frequently 

 escape the notice of sportsmen, who, by-the-by, generally have a 

 repugnance to hunt in these places, not only on account of the 

 disagreeable walking, but because it is no easy matter to shoot 

 birds when the corn is standing two or three feet higher than one's 

 head, for the moment the cock is up he is out of sight. We would, 

 however, advise all inquiring shooters to hunt out every moist 

 cornfield that comes in their way at this season, and they will 

 soon be satisfied of the truth of our assertion. In saying this, 

 however, we do not wish to be understood as aiding and abetting 

 the hunting of cocks at this time, for we heartily disapprove of it, 

 even more than we do the shooting of them in July, as they are 

 now in a measure diseased, and not at all suitable for the table ; 



V 



