THE HEATH HEN 11 
usually fixed at five dollars, which leaves a fair 
margin of profit for the merchant. 
In some of the places where the eastern race 
once lived birds from the prairies have been re- 
leased, but little has been said concerning them 
and the result of the experiment is not gener- 
ally known. Probably they have not increased 
to the extent of becoming a pest to the farmers 
on whose lands they dwell! 
By no means the equal of the ruffed grouse 
(to the writer’s thinking the standard of game 
bird excellence) in game qualities either of 
brain or wing power, still the Chicken is a fine 
bird and those sportsmen who are privileged to 
shoot them are to be envied for many a pleasant 
outing. We of New England have our compen- 
sation, however, and should never complain 
while wise laws and their growing respect 
among our people combine to keep up our stock 
of ruffed grouse. 
For the most part the Prairie Hen of the 
west is a dweller in the open rolling plains, tak- 
ing to the timber only on rare occasions for shel- 
ter from the weather or when much harassed. 
The habits of the eastern species are in the 
