over the undulating ground, apparently just about alighting, but exerting their strength and fluttering on once more, some old stager of the pack leading them beyond an intervening swell, out of harm’s way, beyond which all is conjecture as to the extent or the direction of their flight. In such a case it is best to follow on as quick and as straight as possible keeping the eye fixed upon the tree or bush which served to mark them, and after having proceeded a reasonable distance in the direction which they have flown, if a ‘clear’ or ‘cutting place’ should lie in the course, the birds may be confidently expected to have alighted there. They never in fact settle down where the woods are thick or the bushes close and tangled, but invariably in some open space and often in the roads; neither do they start from thick foliage or briary places, but seek at once to disengage themselves from all embarrassment to their flight by attaining the nearest open space, thus offering to the sportsman the fairest mark of all game birds. It frequently happens that not one is killed on the first flight of a pack, as they are often very unexpectedly started, but on approaching them a second time with greater caution, success is more likely to follow, particularly if they have become scattered.
“Towards the middle of November they have attained their average weight of nearly two pounds each, and nothing can be fuller, richer or more game-like than their plumage. At this time of year, however, in sportsman’s phrase, they will seldom ‘lie to the dog,’ but are easily started by every sound they hear. Even loud talking alarms them; for which reason a high wind, which drowns the approach of danger, is the most desirable weather. A calm, drizzly day is also favorable; for the birds being less likely to be disturbed by the glare of objects, venture into the old rye fields, the low edges of the wood, and the bushy pastures to feed.
“It is seldom that we start a bird a second time in the exact spot where he has been seen to hover down, for no sooner do they alight than they run, and frequently into thick cover, from which they often attempt in vain to disentangle themselves. A dog is then necessary to scent the bird, which alternately runs and squats until, being hard pressed, it rises, and frequently with a sound which resembles the syllables
coo, coo, coo
, uttered with rapidity. One good dog is better than two, and though sufficient, is absolutelynecessary, for besides the enjoyment of observing his action generally, his challenging cheers and his pointing prepare you. But more than all, a dog is required in recovering those which are winged or not fatally wounded which, but for his tracking them, would be entirely lost.
“The barberry, which abounds in many parts ofMartha’s Vineyard, is the principal food of the Grouse, particularly such as grow on low bushes near the ground and easily reached by the birds. They also feed on the boxberry or partridgeberry, the highland and lowland cranberry, rosebuds, pine and alder buds, acorns, &c. In summer, when young, they feed on the more succulent berries.
“We frequently meet with the remains of such as have been destroyed in various ways, but more particularly by the domestic cat, which prowls the woods in a wild state, and which often receives a very unwelcome salute for the mischief it does. Owls, hawks and skunks also do their part towards the destruction of these valuable but defenseless birds. In these ways they are thinned off much more effectually than by the sportsman’s gun. They frequent no particular soil, and like all other hunting, wherever the feed is, there is the likeliest place for the game. In addition to this rule as a guide, we look for their fresh tracks among the sandy barberry hillocks and along the numerous paths which intersect that remarkable part of the Vineyard called Tisbury Plain. Into this, should the birds fly from the edges as they sometimes do, it
“Towards the middle of November they have attained their average weight of nearly two pounds each, and nothing can be fuller, richer or more game-like than their plumage. At this time of year, however, in sportsman’s phrase, they will seldom ‘lie to the dog,’ but are easily started by every sound they hear. Even loud talking alarms them; for which reason a high wind, which drowns the approach of danger, is the most desirable weather. A calm, drizzly day is also favorable; for the birds being less likely to be disturbed by the glare of objects, venture into the old rye fields, the low edges of the wood, and the bushy pastures to feed.
“It is seldom that we start a bird a second time in the exact spot where he has been seen to hover down, for no sooner do they alight than they run, and frequently into thick cover, from which they often attempt in vain to disentangle themselves. A dog is then necessary to scent the bird, which alternately runs and squats until, being hard pressed, it rises, and frequently with a sound which resembles the syllables
coo, coo, coo
, uttered with rapidity. One good dog is better than two, and though sufficient, is absolutelynecessary, for besides the enjoyment of observing his action generally, his challenging cheers and his pointing prepare you. But more than all, a dog is required in recovering those which are winged or not fatally wounded which, but for his tracking them, would be entirely lost.
“The barberry, which abounds in many parts ofMartha’s Vineyard, is the principal food of the Grouse, particularly such as grow on low bushes near the ground and easily reached by the birds. They also feed on the boxberry or partridgeberry, the highland and lowland cranberry, rosebuds, pine and alder buds, acorns, &c. In summer, when young, they feed on the more succulent berries.
“We frequently meet with the remains of such as have been destroyed in various ways, but more particularly by the domestic cat, which prowls the woods in a wild state, and which often receives a very unwelcome salute for the mischief it does. Owls, hawks and skunks also do their part towards the destruction of these valuable but defenseless birds. In these ways they are thinned off much more effectually than by the sportsman’s gun. They frequent no particular soil, and like all other hunting, wherever the feed is, there is the likeliest place for the game. In addition to this rule as a guide, we look for their fresh tracks among the sandy barberry hillocks and along the numerous paths which intersect that remarkable part of the Vineyard called Tisbury Plain. Into this, should the birds fly from the edges as they sometimes do, it
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