THE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. 89 
Our experienced dogs dashed for the light thickets that 
fringed the stubble-field as soon as they got over the 
fence, and they had scarcely entered them before a brood 
was pointed in admirable style. One of the company 
then advanced and flushed the birds, and when they rose, 
with a loud and startling whirr, eight barrels belched 
shot among them, and brought several to the ground 
with such force that some of them made a ricochet, while 
the clouds of feathers which floated in the air proved 
what havoc had been committed among them. After 
picking up the dead and wounded we found that the 
volley had brought us four brace, and that we had 
bagged about two-thirds of the covey. This result was 
due to the close manner in which they rose, and the 
fact that all flew in the same direction. When these 
were placed in the wagon, we resumed operations, but, 
instead of moving in a body, we divided into couples 
and took opposite routes, with the understanding that 
we were to meet for lunch at a stream about four 
miles distant. After leaving the others, my companion. 
and myself flushed a brood which were following the 
mother, bagged five of them, and subsequently found 
two more, which were badly wounded. As it was evi- 
dent that the birds were unusually numerous, we de- 
cided to rejoin our comrades and see if they would draw 
lots as to who should drive the wagon, for it was appar- 
ent that, if we killed as rapidly as we had done, we 
should either have to leave our trophies behind us, owing 
to their weight, with a possibility of not finding them 
again, or put them in the vehicle when they were shot. 
A loud halloo way therefore given, and this’ caused our 
companions to halt, to learn its import. On rejoining 
them our idea was explained, and was acted upon imme- 
diately. Lots were drawn as to who should drive the 
team, and the result was that I was relegated to the po- 
sition of Jehu, much to my disappointment, as I was 
