260 
FRANK FORESTER’S FIELD SPORTS. 
the wildness of the bird at this time is greatly exaggerated. If 
men will go into the fields, rating their dogs loudly, and talking 
and laughing with each other, the birds will be wild of course. 
But throughout the three fall months, except on some few days, 
the Grouse are not too wild to be hunted with the dog in suitable 
weather. 
There are some exceptions, however, and 1 have even known 
them to occur in August. After the 15th of that month it is 
difficult to distinguish the young birds from the old by their 
weight, or even their plumage ; and it certainly is almost impos¬ 
sible to distinguish any but the most backward broods on the 
wing. The difference between the general size of the birds and 
that of a backward brood is very appreciable. It is a difference, 
not of one or two weeks, but of more than a month. No sports¬ 
man is excusable who does not spare such a feeble prey. I was 
in the field on the 14th and 15th of last August, about 30 
miles from St. Louis; and on the evenings of both days, and the 
morning of one of them, we were disappointed of our expected 
sport by reason of the wildness of the birds, although the weather 
was warm and cloudy. None of the birds we killed were too 
young—that is, we killed none which, either flying, or lying at 
our feet, or in our hands, could be distinguished from the old 
birds without a reference to marks, which would be as obvious in 
September or October as they then were. We used No. 5 shot, 
and made many shots outside of forty yards. 
The number of these birds brought to St. Louis and consumed 
annually is almost incredible. From the month of October to 
the end of February thousands are brought to St. Louis every 
week. Many find their way to New Orleans, Louisville, and 
Cincinnati. At the present rate of destruction they cannot last 
long; and such is the antipathy to laws for the preserving of 
game, that I almost despair of any legislation in their favor. 
1 here is one ground of hope, and that is not very assured. It 
arises from the importance of this bird to the farmer. Within 
late years the numbers and depredations of grasshoppers in the 
