54 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
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, 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. When 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 creep¬ 
ing vegetable, named partridge-berry, covering the sand with its 
lasting verdure. 
“ 4 In many spots the plant which produces hurtleberries sprouts 
up among the other natives of the soil. These are the more 
important; though I ought to inform you, that the hills reach¬ 
ing from east to west and forming the spine of the island, sup¬ 
port kalmias, hickories, and many other species; that I have 
seen azalias and andromedas, as I passed through the wilder¬ 
ness, and that where there is water, cranberries, 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 tra¬ 
velled by waggons, and intersected accordingly by a great num¬ 
ber of paths. 
u 4 As to the birds themselves, the information I possess 
scarcely amounts to an entire history. You who know the dif¬ 
ficulty of collecting facts, will be 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. 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 accustomed to shoot them for the market, and who 
have acted as guides foi gentlemen who go the: e for sport. 
44 4 Bulk .—An adult Grouse, when fat, weighs as much as a 
barn-door fowl of moderate size, or about three pounds avoirdu- 
