136 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



as White and ]Mountain Quails by the hunters, miners and ranch 

 men. The White-tailed Ptarmigan, though the least in size, is one 

 of the most beautiful of our grouse, but as it nowhere exists in suf- 

 ficient numbers to repay the sportsman for hunting it systematic- 

 ally, it will probably continue to be little known to any excepting 

 the naturalist. 



For several years prior to the winter of 1877, partridges were 

 very abundant in Sullivan and Ulster counties, N. Y., andadjacent 

 points. During the months of September, October, November) 

 and December, 1879, the writer hunted these magnificent birds 

 along the Shawangunk range of mountains, and the combined 

 bag of three of us used to run daily from twelve to twenty birds, 

 sometimes reaching as high as twenty-seven. Subsequently, 

 however, the grouse or partridge appeared to have been^ at- 

 tacked with a worm or grub in the head, and, from being most 

 abundant in this region, they suddenly became scarce. During 

 the six years that have intervened, they do not appear to have 

 increased much in numbers. Here, as well as in other parts of 

 the country, they are snared to some extent. We are confident 

 that with a little concerted effort on the part of those who are 

 interested in preserving our game, the partridge would soon be- 

 come abundant not only in the Eastern, but in the Middle 

 States. Every State Legislature should impose severe penalties 

 for either snaring these majestic birds or shooting them out of 

 season. 



