PINNATED GROUS 



107 



will probably for ages derive fuel from the grouse-grounds. The 

 land after having been cleared, yields to the cultivator poor crops. 

 Unless therefore he can help it by manure, the best disposition is 

 to let it grow up to forest again. Experience has proved, that in 

 a term of forty or fifty years, the new growth of timber will be fit 

 for the axe. Hence it may be perceived, that the reproduction of 

 trees, and the protection they afford to Heath-hens would be per- 

 petual; or in other words, not circumscribed by any calculable 

 time; provided the persecutors of the latter would be quiet. 



" Beneath these trees grow more dwarfish oaks, overspreading 

 ' the surface, sometimes with here and there a shrub, and sometimes 

 a thicket. These latter are from about two to ten feet in height. 

 Where they are the principal product, they are called in common ^ 

 conversation brush, as the flats on which they grow are termed 

 Brushy plains. Among this hardy shrubbery may frequently be 

 seen the creeping vegetable named the partridge-berry covering 

 the sand with its lasting verdure. In many spots the plant which 

 produces hurtle-berries, sprout up among the other natives of the 

 soil. These are the more important, though I ought to inform you 

 that the hills reaching from east to west, and forming the spine of 

 the island, support kalmias, hickories, and many other species; 

 that I have seen azalias and andromedas as I passed through the 

 wilderness; and that where there is water, crane-berries, alders, 

 beeches, maples, and other lovers of moisture, take their stations. 



" This region, situated thus between the more thickly inhabited 

 strips or belts on the north and south sides of the island, is much 

 travelled by waggons, and intersected accordingly by a great num- 

 ber of paths. 



" As to the birds themselves, the information I possess scarcely 

 amounts to an entire history. You, who know the difficulty of col- 

 lecting facts, will be the most ready to excuse my deficiencies. 

 The information I give you is such as I rely on. For the purpose 

 of gathering the materials, I have repeatedly visited their haunts. 



