PESTNATED GROUS. 
27 
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 perpetual; 
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, overspread- 
ing 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 par- 
tridge-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 impor- 
tant, though I ought to inform you that the hills reaching from 
east to west, and forming the spine of the island, support kal- 
mias, hickories, and many other species; that I have seen aza- 
lias and andromedas as I passed through the wilderness; and 
that where there is water, crane-berries, alders, beeches, map- 
les, and other lovers of moisture, take their stations. 
“This region, situated thus betw'^een the more thickly . in- 
habited strips or belts on the north and south sides of the island, 
is much travelled by wagons, and intersected accordingly by a 
great number of paths. 
“As to the birds themselves, the information I possess scarce- 
ly amounts to an entire history. You, who know the difficulty 
of collecting facts, will be the most ready to excuse my defici- 
encies. The information I give you is such as I rely on. For 
the purpose of gathering the materials, I have repeatedly visited 
their haunts. I have likewise conversed with several men who 
were brought up at the precincts of the grouse-ground, who had 
been witnesses of their habits and manners, who were accus- 
