12 FEATHERED GAME 
main those of the western representative, with 
such variations as may result from its differ- 
ent surroundings, such as a greater fondness 
for brushy covers than has its brother of the 
prairies. For safety’s sake, and no doubt see- 
ing the advantages which such a country af- 
fords, it has become almost as much of a woods 
bird as the ruffed grouse. It is probable that 
the bird of the eastern section was always more 
of a forest dweller than a citizen of the open. 
The courting habits of the Heath Hen are 
probably the same as those of the western race, 
the males performing the same booming sere- 
nade at sunrise, and it is natural to suppose 
that they dance and fight as enthusiastically in 
the mating season as is the custom of the typ- 
ical bird of the plains. 
The western bird has been more fortunate 
than our own. With their enormous wheat 
fields to fatten upon the Chickens might have 
thriven wonderfully, and had it not been for the 
market shooter and the slaughterer for count 
they might have outlasted any game bird of the 
continent; but ever the army of sportsmen 
gains new recruits, and each year sees a greater 
drain upon a diminishing supply. Newer 
