Spiz. monticola [Spizella monticola] gen. ar. [general arrival]
1876.
(Oct. 25) October 25, 1876] gave me a rather hard shot which I 
killed in good style. Following up the
remaining two I killed one of them
over a steady point, but although the
dog worked finely on the third & pointed
him three or four times I failed to get
a shot. Striking across from here to the
line of runs behind Smith's barn I
started five more grouse & killed two
of them. The dog worked magnificently
and is the finest animal on this
species of game that I ever shot over.
During the forenoon I fired 8 shots &
brought to bag 4 birds. Launce pointed every
bird started except one.
Thursday
Oct. 26 [October 26, 1876] Clear with strong S.W. [southwest] wind. Off after
breakfast driving up to Smith's. Hunted
over all the ground which I investigated
yesterday and a good deal more besides.
Started 6 grouse & a woodcock. Shot
six times and bagged only one grouse,
the first one that I fired at. "Launce"
if possible, outdid yesterday's performance
and pointed every bird which was
started. Drove back in time for dinner
In P.M. rowed my boat up to
the French's landing and had it
put up for the winter in their
barn. The leaves are soon all off
in the woods and the chances 
for getting shots consequently improved.
A few asters still bloom in sheltered
places but otherwise the landscape is
fast loosing its summer & autumnal
adornments.
[margin]Ruffled grouse! Ruffed Grouse 4 Saw Spiz. Monticola Spizella monticola] in numbers[/margin]