The American Sportsman

Pinnated Grouse, or Prairie Hen-Different from the Ruffed Grouse-The
sources from where we get our information concerning this Bird-Descrip-
tion-Location-The country they delight in-Rare in the Northern and
Middle States-Their former abundance on Long Island-Their presence
in New Jersey-Ten Braces killed-The fate of these Birds-Some in
Pennsylvania-Barrens of Kentucky and Tennessee-The Prairies of
Louisiana, Indiana, and Illinois-Very numerous in Kentucky-The mis-
chief they did to the orchards, &c.-Difficulty of driving them off-Shoot-
ing them with rifles-Still a few on Long Island, Elizabeth Island,
Martha's Vineyard, New Jersey, &c.-The Plains of the Missouri, Arkan-
sas, and Columbia Rivers-Perind of Pairing—The Tooting of the Cock-
How performed Very pugnacious-Their Scratching Grounds-Battles-

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Their Nests; number of Eggs-The young Birds-The Prairie Hen easily
domesticated-Audubon's domestication of sixty Birds-Their habits dur-
ing confinement-One brood each season-Their Enemies-Artifices to
protect their Young-Their Food at different seasons-No disposition to
Migrate Their antipathy to water-Necessity of carrying water for the
Dogs-Flight-Their habits when pursued-Feeding-Roosting on the
ground-Their Flesh, as compared with the Pheasant-Other varieties
in the States-Time of Hunting them, &c.-Memoranda.
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CHAPTER X.

The Woodcock-The claims of the Woodcock-Eagerness of Sportsmen in
pursuing this Bird-The delight of Sportsmen when examining a Wood-
cock-How prized in England-Considered the Fox Hunting of Shooting
-The Nomenclature-How various and confused-Description-Com-
pared with the English variety-Their size, weight, &c.-The largest ever
shot-Uncommon large one sent a friend-The plumage of the American
and English Bird-Superiority of the flesh of the American Bird-One
Species only in the States-The Female much larger than the Male-Their
Habits-A Migratory Bird-Extent of their journeyings-Where they
Breed-When they go South-Some remain North in the Winter-Their
movements in the Spring-The formation of the Head-How remarkable—
Their large and beautiful Eyes-Incapable of supporting a glare of light
-Instances of imperfect vision in full day-Their habits at night-Feed-
ing at the South-Ignorance of country people of this Bird-Food-
Erroneous opinions regarding their mode of Feeding-Feeding of the
European Bird-Full description of those feeding in the Aviary of St.
Ildephonso-The nervous system of the Bill of the Woodcock-Their
Voracity-How fed in Captivity-Their Voracity the cause of their unsocial
Habits-Incubation-The young Birds-Singular Manoeuvres at this sea-
son-The conveyance of their Young on their Backs-Two Broods-Frank
Forrester's Opinion-Time for Shooting-Their slaughter in July-Argu-
ments against this custom-The Game Laws a mere bagatelle-Ignorance
of Legislation-Change proposed-Ingenuity to conceal her Young-Where
to find Cocks-Under various circumstances of the weather-Not found in
Swamps of the Iron Districts-Woodcocks abundant in Jersey and Dela-
ware-The excessive heat an objection to July Shooting-The spoiling of
the Birds-Remarks of Mr. Skinner; condemnatory of the ambition to kill
for quantity-Temptations for hunting Woodcocks in July-Benefits to be
derived from having Birds, Squirrels, &c., in the Public Squares-Disap-
pearance of Woodcocks during the Moulting Season in August and Septem-
ber-Various opinions on this subject-Where to find them at such times
-Other reasons for their scarcity at this time-Flight of these Birds-Fire-
hunting of Cocks-How practised in Louisiana-Described by T. B. Thorpe,
Esq.-Somewhat similar to English "Bird-battings"-Nets and Snares-
Some peculiarities while Feeding-Abundant in Ireland-How hunted
there-Dogs for Cock Shooting-Barbarous custom of shooting them in

Livros