62 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS— GROUSE 



part of August, when the birds were fairly strong on 

 the wing, but for many reasons I am of the opinion 

 that September ist should be the opening day for 

 grouse shooting in America. This is the best date 

 when all the States are considered, and uniformity is 

 desirable. And since the birds have rapidly dimin- 

 ished, it is well to have a short season. 



Ten years ago I had no hesitation in predicting the 

 extermination of the grouse of the prairies. They had 

 already disappeared from Ohio and Kentucky, and 

 when I went to shoot in Indiana, Illinois, and Kansas, 

 I observed that the race was rapidly diminishing, and 

 that the birds were shot as early as July, sold openly 

 in the markets, and served at hotels and restaurants. 

 Market gunners vied with sportsmen in the making of 

 outrageous bags, and the birds were shot for sport, 

 when they could not be transported or used on ac- 

 count of the heat. Stories were common of wagon- 

 loads of game thrown away. The sharp-tailed grouse 

 fared somewhat better for a time, on account of the 

 Indians, who were the best game preservers in the 

 world, using what they needed only, and preventing 

 their white brothers from taking any. 



The legislation shortening the open season, and pro- 

 hibiting the sale and shipment of the grouse, has done 

 much, and with the creation of preserves in the grouse 

 States, the birds will no doubt be saved for all time 

 and cared for and handled as grouse are in Scotland, 

 where immense numbers are killed each year, but 

 enough are left to restock the preserves. 



In Scotland the game preserves are of great value. 

 " Shoots" are advertised for the season at a rental often 



