The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1873-01-25


went out to the same fields which oul
friends had visited so unsuccessfully in the
morning, aud had our five dogs at point:
in different parts of the field in five min
utes after we got over the fence. The sport
grew better and BETTER fresh birds coming
in from the prairie continually. We con-
tlnued shooting as long as we could see,
and when it became too dark to shoot
longer, we went back to the house, abou,
half a mile off with sixty Birds which di-
vided among four made load of about %
pounds to each, which, with guns and 9th.
er equipments, was as much as we wanted
to carry, with the mercury at So. These
birds get up with good deal of noise,
which is ant to confuse new hand; their
flight is direct, however, and they present
an easy mark, so that good shot will
rarely miss them.
\ friend of ours once drove buggy
from Fox river to Chicago, forty miles, and
with one dog, shot one hundred grouse,
between sunrise and sunset. We were
once shooting with the same person, in
October; the birds were in large focks, and
got up quite wild; in going over little
hill, we started flock of thirty or forty
birds; they rose in a huddle, and our friend
firing both barrels into them, brought
down three with the first, and two with his
second barrel
Late in the season, when full grown and
well feathered, grouse will carry off large
charge of shot, without t1inciIing; and then
fall dead, after flying half mile apparent
ly unhurt.
1t is thought 10y some sportsmen that this
bird has the power of Withholding its scent
as the quail is supposed to do. We have,
however, not seen anything conclusive on
this point.
The grouse is bird of very strong scent,
and when they are plenty, dogs are very
easily broken on them. We have several
times seen taken into the field, settlers,
which in the morning had never seen or
smelt a grouse, which before night were
reasonably staunch on their points. They
were, however, high bred animals, of IN
questioned purity OF blood; any improper
cross will prevent this rapid education.
We once had brace of pointer pups
which were about six months old when the
season for shooting commenced. About
the 18th of July we took them out to see
how they would behave. They had never
seen game nor had they been out of the
city. We put them in the wagon, drove
about ten miles out of town, and stopped
at tavern, behind which were fields where
birds were usually to be found. While
fastening our horses in the shed, the dogs
slipped away, nor could we find them after
some seach about the house. We went
towards the fields, and saw the dogs about
half mile off in the prairie, apparently at
a point We made all haste to them, and
could hardly believe our eyes, ween we saw
Don at firm point, and Hal backing him,
with all the steadiness of well trained dogs
in their second season! They kept their
stand till we reached them, and did not
move until we stepped in before them and
put up the BIRDS a .covy of half grown
grouse. Then the puppies broke in and
chased but were easily recalled.
Those dogs fulfilled their early promise,
and were a splendid brace while they lived;
not long, alas! for they died at three years
old by poison, administered by some ruffian,
under orders of meaner ruffians still; the
corporation of we'll known western city;
which permits drinking shops and gambling
houses and dens of debauchery, but pro-
hibits dogs. Ruffians and rowdies have
votes, but dogs have not.
We once tried the experiment of keeping
grouse in confinement, but met with very
Indifferent success. We purchased one
winter near hundred of these birds, which
had been caught in traps alive. We put
them N large upper loft, or garnet, about
twenty feet wide and fifty long; the en-
trance we guarded by hanging up a sail be-
fore the door, which allowed us to peep
through hole and watch the habits and
conduct Of our prisoners. They would eat
freely of grain, and drink like common
poultry, although Wilson tells us they new
er drink in captivity, nor as he believes, in
their wild state either. They seemed very
pugnacious in their habits, and fought
among themselves constantly. Not, how
ever, like game cocks, two individuals hav-
ing fair stand up fight, to see which was
the better bird, but in different fashion.
One cock would give the bird next him
blow with his bill, lie would hit the next;
number three would pass it to number four,
and in minute there would be a general
field fight, in the course of which some
would often be killed. 1t resembled an
Irish shindy, where every Paddy is seized
with all insane desire to break his neigh
boris head. Then at signal known to
themselves, they would all take wing, and
fly against the roof with such violence as
to break their necks. To prevent this, we
clipped their wings, which prevented some
of their most aspiring flights, but did not
stop their fighting.
More or less of them died daily, until by
spring our stock was reduced to one old
cock, veteran who had survived the
hardships of captivity, and dangers of bat
tie; a sort of Wellington, whom nothing
could kill, though ho was reduced to skin,
bones and feathers. Him we released from
the housetop, and in spite Of his emaciated
condition he took bee line for the prairie.
where we have no doubt he arrived in
safety, and astonished the feathered peo
pie with his captivity and escape.
A great difference of opinion exists with
regard to the merits of the pinnated grouse
as an article Of food. Most people will tell
you that "prairie hens are mighty poor
eating" while the favored few who have
eaten these birds under the proper condi-
tions, will say that nothing wearing feath-
ers be it canvas back duck or October
woodcock, is superior to it. While the
grouse is yet young, and white of flesh,
say till the first of September, he should
be split open and broiled, or made into
min Sn coota1 bo 10 roenootol1o .r.