THE RUFFED GROUSE. 97 



The perfect dog has a keen nose; knows nearly as well 

 as his master where game is likely to be found; silently 

 approaches promising coverts from the leeward; points 

 the instant he catches scent: keeps in sight of his master; 

 watches him, and obeys each motion; holds his point 

 until ordered to flush; stops until ordered to retrieve, ,and 

 quarters his ground thoroughly at a moderate gait. 



Next in value to the setter and the pointer is a well- 

 broken spaniel, which follows at heel until ordered to 

 scour a thicket upon whose border your companion and 

 self have taken stands. 



In wooded regions, where but little hunting is done, a 

 fast, ranging, yelping cur will tree about one-half of the 

 birds found; but etiquette no longer allows the sportsman 

 to shoot a sitting bird, though the chances are two to one 

 he will miss it if flushed. 



When conscious of danger, this grouse rises with a 

 loud whir, and, if the surroundings are favorable, flies 

 straight away from the cause of alarm. It seldom rises 

 more than ten feet in the air, and the flight is rarely pro- 

 tracted beyond 250 yards. When suddenly disturbed by 

 a dog or fox, and rising, as it were, to a point of inquiry, 

 the flight is often silent, as it always is when the bird 

 rises of its own accord. In the latter case, the flight 

 closely resembles that of the pinnated grouse, part of it 

 being made with extended wings; but when forced, it is 

 almost invariably a continual beating of wings. 



This bird flies at night only when disturbed. I have 

 never known of its coming in contact with trees, on even 

 the darkest nights, though it occasionally rises above 

 them, as if to avoid the possibility of such an occurrence. 

 In the day-time, it has been known to fly against windows 

 and white houses. 



Young birds are most delicious as food. In fact, all 

 are in prime condition for the table during early autumn, 



7 



