THE RUFFED GROUSE. 103 



Although they dislike to cross large rivers or fields, they 

 decide the question, Avhen nearing the opening, without 

 the least hesitation. If the decision be in the afhrmative, 

 and the iiight be down wind, they soon attain a sjjeed 

 that astonishes the beholder, especially if he witness the 

 latter ]part of the open flight, which is often made with 

 set wings. 



Ordinarily, they are easily approached when in a tree. 

 A barking dog insures success; but the boy, minus the 

 dog, who thinks whistling such airs as ' ' Zip Coon ' ' or 

 ' ' Yankee Doojile ' ' helps him in stealing a march, chews 

 the cud of disappointment quite as often as that of 

 success. 



Do not think because you have flushed half a dozen 

 birds almost simultaneously, from either tree or thicket, 

 that all have gone. Very often one or two remain to 

 startle you with their nerve-destroying whir when you 

 have turned your back upon the spot. 



In flat, densely wooded localities, they afford rather 

 better sport than among mountains, for the reason that 

 they lie better to the dog; and the walking being easier, 

 one can hunt over more ground in a given time. 



The color of the clothing worn by the grouse-hunter 

 is not so material as in wild fowl shooting, but gray 

 seems to occupy about the same place in the list of colors 

 as Xo. 6 shot among its kind. A light drab or cream- 

 colored suit of corduroy answers very nicely for all sorts 

 of shooting — is noiseless and durable in briars, and resists 

 moderate moisture. Corduroy is preferable to mackin- 

 tosli, moleskin, or canvas for all-round work. 



Carry your gun cocked, if alone; in company, do so 

 only when expecting a rise. When separated from your 

 companion, and on territory where you can see but a 

 short distance, never fire unless you know exactly where 

 he is, m6re especially if the ground be uneven. The 



