ERRATIC HABITS OF PRAIRIE-FOWL. 199 
years ago, they abounded; it is more than doubtful that 
one can now be found in that State. The pinnated grouse 
has abandoned its old haunts, like the Indian, and removes 
every season farther to the westward, to avoid the society 
of the pale-faced interloper. Fortunately, all game does 
not thus dread the stranger’s presence, for as civilization 
increases so does the partridge, and the familiar call of 
“Bob White” will soon entirely supplant the deep, musical, 
but strange booing of the prairie-fowl east of the Mis- 
sissippi. 
To get sport nowadays, the ultimate western edge of In- 
diana and the State of Illinois, for the Eastern sportsman, 
are undoubtedly the nearest points. Buteven after having 
traveled thus far, if you desire results commensurate with 
your trouble, rest not near the track of the iron horse, but 
pursue, to the right or left, your course till you find people 
who still talk of the cars* as seven-day wonders, and re- 
port as a marvel, that one still night, 2 month ago, Hans 
or Jaques heard them whistle. When such originals have 
been found, if heavy bags are desired, till then, and not till 
then, call a halt. 
The prairie-fowl are very erratic in their habits, and the 
situations in which they abound one season may be almost 
entirely deserted the next. It has often puzzled me to ac- 
count for this strange uncertainty in their choice, and I 
have thus far failed to satisfy my mind, unless the burning 
of the grass, or inundations, to which the Western country 
is particularly subject, can be accepted as a reason. A few 
years ago a low prairie close to my dwelling was most am- 
ply stocked with prairie-fowl, so much so that I used to 
limit my bag to one dozen, and seldom did it take more 
than an hour to obtain this number. Next year, on the 
* Railroads, 
