64 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 
and the grain left in the stubble fields. They are said 
to follow man wherever he goes, the proof of this being 
furnished by their presence in several cultivated regions 
beyond the Rocky Mountains where they were unknown 
afew years ago. They have now been traced as far west- 
ward as Nevada, and will, no doubt, soon be found 
beyond the Sierra Nevadas, in California. The western 
sportsmen have a saying that the pinnated grouse fol- 
lows the railroad, whereas the sharp-tail flees before it, 
and they infer from this that the former can thrive in 
the vicinity of man, but that the latter cannot. 
Several experiments which have been made, prove that 
it is readily susceptible to domestication, and that, in 
contradistinction to the usual habits of its family, it will 
not only pair but breed in confinement. Another great 
advantage it possesses over its kindred is, that it is not 
very migratory, and manifests no desire to leave the vicin- 
ity of the barn-yard if it obtains plenty of its favorite 
food, and an opportunity of taking an occasional run in 
the grass. Its domestication would evidently prove 
profitable, as it 1s very prolific, weighs from two to 
nearly three pounds, and has white and succulent flesh. 
One curious fact about the flesh is, that it often turns 
dark after a few frosty nights, and loses much of its 
pleasant flavor. Those who are epicurian in taste do not 
like it so well then as in the earlier portion of the 
season, so it may be said to be in prime condition only 
between the fifteenth of August and the first or middle 
of October. The shooting season really closes about 
the first of November, for after that time the birds 
become so wild that they will not lie well to the dogs; 
but persons who wish to try their skill at long ranges 
will find this and the following month the best for their 
purpose, provided they do not care for long tramping and 
asmall bag. When the shooting is about over the trap- 
ping commences, for as soon as the snow causes the birds 
