GROUSE-SHOOTING ON THE PRAIRIES. 305 
is no objection to using two, or even three brace together, 
where there is range enough; but I should myself prefer, 
however strong my kennel, to use a single brace in the fore- 
noon, and after luncheon, when the first dogs were becoming 
dull, if not tired, to start fresh with a second team. In the 
afternoon, the birds will be found again on the feeding 
grounds, whence they were driven in the morning; and 
where there are pea-fields, great sport may be looked for 
with confidence until nearly sunset. 
The sportsman must remember that he has to deal 
with a strong, hardy bird—though he is said less frequently 
to carry away his death-wound than any member of his 
family, some of which, the quail especially, will fly off for 
a mile or more on an unflagging pinion, and literally de in 
mid air—and one which springs and is off like a flash of 
lightning. He must shoot, therefore, on the first sight, 
and that a sharp and quick one, yet coolly. For if he 
hope to kill, the muzzle must be laid so straight, that the 
object at thirty yards shall be exactly in the centre of the 
scattering charge. The dispersed pellets of the outer cir- 
cumference will but sting him ineffectually. If he be 
crossing you, a yard’s allowance in advance of him will 
not be too much at forty paces, and if you fetch him so, a 
beautiful sight it is to see him skate down at a long 
tangent, and rebound stone-dead from the dry earth of 
the prairie, 
