RUFFED GROUSE. 215 



than his barking alarms the birds as much as the report of a gun, and 

 causes them to rise and alight on the nearest trees, on which they may be 

 shot at with great success. 



This leads me to remark, that the prevailing notion which exists in al- 

 most every district where these birds are numerous, that on firing at the 

 lowest bird perched on a tree, the next above will not fly, and that by 

 continuing to shoot at the lowest in succession, the whole may be killed, 

 is contradicted by my experience ; for on every attempt wliich I have 

 made to shoot several in this manner on the same tree, my efforts have 

 proved unsuccessful, unless indeed during a fall of snow, when I have 

 killed three and sometimes four. The same cause produces the same ef- 

 fect on different birds. It may happen, however, that in districts covered 

 with deep snow for several weeks, during severe winters, these birds, be- 

 coming emaciated and weak, may stand a repetition of shots from a person 

 determined to shoot Grouse even when they are good for nothing ; but, 

 kind reader, this barbarous taste is, I hope, no more yours than it is mine. 



During spring, and towards the latter part of autumn, at which times 

 the Ruffed Grouse is heard drumming from different parts of the woods 

 to which it resorts, I have shot many a fine cock by imitating the sound 

 of its own wings striking against the body, which I did/by beating a large 

 inflated bullock's bladder with a stick, keeping up as much as possible the 

 same time as that in which the bird beats. At the sound produced by / 

 the bladder and the stick, the male Grouse, inflamed with jealousy, has 

 flown directly towards me, when, being prepared, I have easily shot it.^ 

 An equally successful stratagem is employed to decoy the males of our 

 little Partridge by imitating the call-note of the female during spring 

 and summer ; but .In no instance, after repeated trials, have I been able ' 

 to entice the Pinnated Grouse to come towards me, whilst imitating the 

 boominf^ sounds of that bird. 



Early in spring, these birds are frequently seen feeding on the tender 

 buds of different trees, and at that season are more easily approached than 

 at any other. Unfortunately, however, they have not by this time re- 

 covered their flesh sufliciently to render them worthy of the attention of 

 a true sportsman, although their flavour has already improved. When 

 our mountains are covered with a profusion of Huckleberries and Whortle- 

 berries, about the beginning of September, then is the time for shooting 

 this species, and enjoying the delicious food which it affords. 



The Ruffed Grouse, on alighting upon a tree, after being raised from 



