36 FEATHERED GAME 
woods. Add the fact that the bird itself, now 
full-fledged and confident in the powers of its 
wings, lies closer at this latter part of the sea- 
son, thus giving a much better chance, and one 
may easily see why the sportsman will prefer 
this month. Many are the fine opportunities 
on the rocky hillsides where the leafless 
birches show their white shafts against the dull 
gray ledges; where the dead leaves, frost- 
killed and damp on the mossy rocks, give back 
no sound to the stealthy foot-fall of the gunner. 
Among the bare brown stems and boughs the 
grouse goes away like a shooting star and is 
seen much more clearly than in September’s 
profusion of green leaves. It is well for two 
men to work together in such a place, as the 
Grouse will commonly fly up over the ledge 
when flushed, and there will be more chance of 
capturing the birds if one gun be posted on the 
lower level and its companion be on the ridge. 
If the bird is not shot at the chances are that 
it will alight just over the brow of the hill and 
lie close next time. If, however, the gunner be 
above him when he darts away he must trust to 
luck and his own eyes to tell him the direction 
which his intended victim takes, as commonly 
