

T^f^w-rv^ 



NOT POISONOUS, 



167 



late in autumn it feeds upon the berries of the 

 American laurel, a shrub which is found in profuse 

 abundance on the slopes and spurs of the picturesque 

 Alleghany Moun -ns. This has been known to 

 make the flesh of the ruffed grouse somewhat 

 poisonous ; but as this shrub is unknown, or nearly 

 so, in England and Scotland, such an objection 

 could never be raised against them here. 



For my own part, I think that the danger said to 

 arise from eating their flesh is greatly exaggerated, as, 

 although I have supped and breakfasted upon them 

 day after day in almost all their haunts, I never 

 suffered evil result from so doing. 



