102 THE PINNATED GROUSE. 



fairest mark of all game birds. It frequently happens that not one is killed 

 on the first flight of a pack, as they are often very unexpectedly started, but 

 on approaching them a second time with greater caution, success is more 

 likely to follow, particularly if they have become scattered. 



"Towards the middle of November, they have attained their average- 

 weight of nearly two pounds each, and nothing can be fuller, richer, or 

 more game-like than their plumage. At this time of year, however, in 

 sportsman's phrase, they will seldom "lie to the dog," but are easily started 

 by every sound they hear. Even loud talking alarms them; for which 

 reason, a high wind, which drowns the approach of danger, is the most 

 desirable weather. A calm drizzly day is also favourable; for the birds 

 being less likely to be disturbed by the glare of objects, venture into the old 

 rye fields, the low edges of the wood, and the bushy pastures, to feed. 



"It is seldom that we start a bird a second time in the exact spot where 

 he has been seen to hover down, for no sooner do they alight than they run, 

 and frequently into thick cover, from which they often attempt in vain to 

 disentangle themselves. A dog is then necessary to scent the bird, which 

 alternately runs and squats, until, being hard pressed, it rises, and frequently 

 with a sound which resembles the syllables coo, coo, coo, uttered with 

 rapidity. One good dog is better than two, and though sufficient, is abso- 

 lutely necessary, for besides the enjoyment of observing his action generally, 

 his challenging cheers and his pointing prepare you. But more than all, a 

 dog is required in recovering those which are winged or not fatally wounded, 

 which, but for his tracking them, would be entirely lost. 



"The barberry, which abounds in many parts of Martha's Vineyard, is 

 the principal food of the Grouse, particularly such as grow on low bushes, 

 near the ground, and easily reached by the birds. They also feed on the 

 boxberry or partridgeberry, the highland and lowland cranberry, rose-buds, 

 pine and alder buds, acorns, &c. In summer, when young, they feed on the 

 more succulent berries. 



"We frequently meet with the remains of such as have been destroyed in 

 various ways, but more particularly by the domestic cat, which prowls the 

 woods in a wild state, and which often receives a very unwelcome salute for 

 the mischief it does. Owls, Hawks, and Skunks also do their part towards 

 the destruction of these valuable but defenceless birds. In these ways they 

 are thinned off much more effectually than by the sportsman's gun. They 

 frequent no particular soil, and, like all other hunting, wherever the feed is, 

 there is the likeliest place for the game. In addition to this rule as a guide, 

 we look for their fresh tracks among the sandy barberry hillocks, and along 

 the numerous paths which intersect that remarkable part of the Vineyard 

 called Tisbury Plain. Into this, should the birds fly from the edges, as they 



