UPLAND SHOOTING. 73 
pointers, or being met with in sufficient numbers to render the 
pursuit of it pleasurable or exciting. 
The single specimen which I killed, rose suddenly from the 
ground, which was covered with snow to the depth of a foot or 
more, in a little dell or basin, full of tall larch and spruce-firs, 
just as I came over the brow of the hill; and I was fortunate 
enough to kill it at long range, by a snap shot. It was a fine 
cock bird, agreeing in all respects accurately with the above de¬ 
scription, from the pages of the greatest living naturalist. 
Feeling that something more than this bare notice is due to 
this beautiful bird, and with some faint hope that, by calling the 
attention of sportsmen to the undoubted fact of its existence 
within our sporting limits, I may add one to our list of game, I 
shall proceed to quote from the author already noticed, whose 
ornithological distinctions and descriptions I shall adopt through¬ 
out this work, the following graphic account of his experience 
as relates to this Grouse. 
I say, that I entertain but a faint hope, because among many 
intelligent and observing friends, keen sportsmen and good shots, 
both in Lower Canada and New Brunswick, I have never heard 
this Grouse named as a bird of game. In fact, I believe that no 
bird which haunts the depths of the North American wilderness 
can, under any circumstances, afford much sport to the legiti¬ 
mate pursuer, though they may be treed with cur-dogs, and 
shot sitting, in sufficient numbers to supply markets, and to 
satisfy the sporting aspirations of the prowling, backwoods’ 
gunner. 
u No sooner had I entered the State of Maine, than I consi¬ 
dered the Canada Grouse as one of the principal objects of my 
enquiry. Every person to whom I spoke about it, assured me 
that it was rather abundant during the whole year, and conse¬ 
quently that it bred in the country. All this I fortunately 
proved to be quite true ; but no one told me of the difficulties I 
should have to encounter in watching its habits ; and although I 
ultimately succeeded in this, the task was perhaps as severe as 
any which I ever undertook. 
