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THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
PRESENTED BY
PROF. CHARLES A. KOFOID AND
MRS. PRUDENCE W. KOFOID
*f*
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2007 with funding from
IVIicrosoft Corporation
http://www.archive.org/details/frankschleysamerOOschlrich
frank schley's
American Partridge
PHEASANT SHOOTING
WBITTXK BY HIMSSI.F,
DESCRIBING THE
HAUNTS, HABITS, AND METHODS OF HUNTING AUD SHOOTING THE AMERI*
CAN PARTRIDGE; QUAIL. RUFFED GROUSE; PHEASANT.
^WITH
DIRECTIONS FOR HANDLING THE GUN, HUNTING THE DOG, AND THE ART
OF SHOOTING ON THE WING.
CONTAINING
A HISTORY OF THE PARTRIDGES AND GROUSE INHABITING NORTH
AMERICA.
IIL.lL.XJSTR-A.TEr>.
FREDERICK, MD. :
BAUGHMAN BROTHEES.
1877.
■ntered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1877, by Frank Schley,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington, D. C.
Contents.
PAGB.
PRErACE,
7
The Partridges,
8
Ortyx Virginianiis,
, 11
Plumed Partridge ; Mountain Quail, .
13
California Partridge ; Valley Quail,
17
Gambel's Partridge ; Arizona Quail, .
21
Scaled or Blue Partridge, .
. 28
Massena Partridge,
33
How to Aim, and Shoot,
41
The Gun, how to Charge it, Size of Shot,
40
Eange of the Gun,
. 46
The Killing Kanges of the Gun,
48
Straight Forward Shots,
. 50
Cross Shots,
52
Descending Shots,
54
Over Head Shots, .
56
Partridge; Quail; Bob-White, .
. 58
HaUits, . ■
59
r;i r ng and testing, .
. 62
F : ■ and ."^o< ond Brood,
66
I • -^rniii,-,
. 68
I .>i i:.. .ti'U-idges,
69
ivi3604M
4 CONTENTS.
PAGE.
Foes of the Partridges, . . .71
Flight of the Partridges, ... 74
Migration, Wandering Birds, . . .77
Haunts and Habits of Partridges, and Where Found, 80
Withholding Scent, ... 82
Late in the Season, . . . .89
Hunting, . . . ■ . . 91
Hunting Partridges, . . . .92
Firing into Coveys, . . . 97
Wounded Game, . . . .101
Scattering a Covey, . . .99
How to Bag Wounded Partridges, . . 101
Towering of a Partridge, . . . 103
The Sportsman Who Never Fails to Hit, . . 105
The Excitable Sportsman, . . . 108
The Eeckless Sportsman, . . .111
The Bad Shot, or Unskilled Sportsman, . 116
Miscellaneous Hints, Dress, Boots, . , 121
Knife, Drinking Cup, . . .122
Powder, Shot, Accouterments, Caps, Wadding, . 123
The Grouse, . . . .125
Spruce Partridge, Canada Grouse, . . 129
Columbia Sharp-Tailed Grouse, . . 134
Prairie Hen, Prairie Chicken, Pinnated Grouse, . 140
Franklin's Grouse, . . . 148
Dusky Grouse, . . . . 150
Oregon Dusky Grouse, . . . 153
Eichardson's Dusky Grouse, . . . 156
Sage Cock ; Cock of the Plains, . . 158
CONTENTS. f
PAGE.
Sharp-Tailed Grouse, . . . .163
The Texas Prairie Hen, . . .165
The Mountain Partridge, . . .165
The Oregon Grouse, . . . 167
Willow Grouse ; White Ptarmigan, , . 170
Kock Ptarmigan, . . . . i7g
White-Tailed Ptarmigan, . . 178
Buffed Grouse, Partridge, Pheasant, . . 179
Description, . . . . . 180
Habits, . . . . . 180
Beating or Drumming of the Pheasant, . . 184
Flight of the Pheasant, ... 186
Migration, . . . . . 188
Foes of the Pheasant, . . . 189
Food of the Pheasant, . ... . 191-
Autumn Pheasant Shooting, . . 193
Shooting in Woods, and Thickets, . ^ . 198:
Sporting Dogs, .... 201
What Constitutes a Good Dog, . . 205
Choosing a Dog, . . • .211
Dogs Adapted to Sporting in America, • 217
Tllustf^ations.
To-Ho, - - - _ Frontispiece.
Engraver, Harry W. Crutchfleld.
To Face Pag«
Plumed Partridge ; Mountain Quail, - 13
Engraver, H. W. Crutchfleld.
California Partridge ; Yalley Quail, - 17
Engraver, H. W. Crutchfleld.
Scaled, or Blue Partridge, - - - . 28
Engraver, H. W. Crutchfleld.
Massena Partridge, - - - . . 33
Engraver, H. W. Crutchfleld.
Partridge, Quail, Bob- White, ... 59
Engraver, H. W. Crutchfleld.
American Partridges, Quails, - - - ^69
Engraver, Joseph T. Harley.
Ruffed Grouse, ------ igo
Engraver. H. W. Crutchfleld.
PREFACE.
In presenting the American Partridge and Pheasant Shooting, I
have endeavored to lay before the public, in as precise and brief a form
M possible, full and trustworthy explanations of the various practical
methods of hunting, and shooting, with dog and gun, the American
PattridgH and Pheasant, which twenty-five years of almost constant
pursuit in the American fields, and woodlands, in the Eastern ijor-
tion of our country, have enabled me to attain ; adding only the
assurance, that I have been prompted to this work, from a pure love
and fondness for the dog and gun, and those ennobling and manly
gports of which I have been for so many years an ardent follower.
And if these crude lines which I have penned prove of any service to
my brother Sportsmen, my object will be fully accomplished, and my
labor of love will not have been in vain.
FRANK SCHLE7.
Fredruick City, Md., \S11.
TO THE
SPOETSMEN OF AMEEICA,
IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR HIGH QUALITIES,
AS TEUE SPOETSMEN. AND CEACK SHOTS
THIS WORK ON PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING
IS MOST EESPECTFULLY DEDICATED
BY THE
AUTHOE.
American Partridge
AND-
PHEASANT SHOOTING.
THE PAETEIDGES.
^HE Partridges arc erected into the family Perdicida'
with several suh-families. They abound more or less
^' all over the surface of the Globe. One grouj) of the
^ Partridges belong to America, all the rest to the Old
World. The American Partridges are erected by the auth-
ors into the sub-family Ortygincti or Odontophorinm. They
may be distinguished among the American gallinm by the
following characteristics : Head feathered, nostrils protected
by a scale, tarsi and toes not feathered, bill stout, a toothing
or bidentation on the sides of the edge in the lower mandi-
ble, concealed in the closed mouth scarcely noticeable. In
this famil}' the following species and varieties abound in
the United States ; the name of each species and varieties
and their places of residence, according to Baird, Brewer
and Eidgway, are as follows :
NoA. Quail; Partridge; Bob-White. — This species inhabits
Eastern United States, to the high central plains — Devil's
Eiver, Texas.
No. 2. Ortyx Virgineanus; Var.; Texanus.—InhsihiU South-
ern Texas and Yalley of the Eio Grande, Eepublican Eiver,
Kansas. Washita Eiver, Indian Territory.
10 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
No. 3. Plumed Partridge; Mountain Quail. — Inhabits
mountain-ranges of California and Oregon towards the coast,
ISTevada, Eastern Slope and foot-hills of the Sierra Nevada.
— JRidgway.
No. A. California Partridge ; Valley Quail. — Inhabits Yal-
ley portions and foot-hills of the Pacific province of the
United States, south to Cape St. Lucas.
No. 5. Gamble's Partridge; Arizona §w<xi7.-^Inhabits Col-
orado Yalley of the United States, north to Southern Utah,
and East to Western Texas.
No. 6. Scaled, or Blue Partridge. — Inhabits Table-lands of
Mexico and Yalley of the Eio Grande of Texas. Most abun-
dant on the high broken table-lands and mesquite plains.
No. 7. Massena Partridge. — Inhabits Chiefly on the Up-
per Eio Grrande from the high plains of the Pecos, Fort
Whipple, Arizona, Northern Mexico, southward, on the
west coast, to Mazatlan.
Of these seven species and varieties of beautiful game
birds, six of which, the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,
and seventh, nowhere exists to the eastward of the Missis-
sippi Eiver, and have never fallen before my gun. These
six I shall only notice by giving their character and his-
tory, which I will produce from the best authors in North
American Ornithology. The first species. Quail; Partridge;
Bob-White, I oifer to the sportsmen as the object of my
pursuit, and the special aim of this treatise. This species
being found in great abundance in the whole of the Eas-
tern Province of North America, and is the well-known
game bird of this country. In systematizing this work I
shall begin with the Ornithological description of the sec-
ond variety, and continue on with the third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, and seventh. I shall then close this dej)artment of
my work with giving a full and precise account of the
character, history, haunts, habits, flight, food, &c., and the
most successful methods I have used in hunting and shoot-
ing the .first species.
THE PARTRIDGES. H
OETYX YIEGINIANUS, var. texanus.— Lawrence.
Sp. Char. — General appearance that of 0. Virginianus.
Chin, throat, forehead, and stripe over the eye, white,
Stripe behind the eye continuous with a collar across the
lower part of the throat, black. Under parts white, with
zigzag transverse bars of black. Above pale brownish-red
strongly tinged with ash, the feathers all faintly though
distinctly mottled with black ; the lower back, scapulars,
and tertials much bloched with black, the latter edged on
both sides, and, to some extent, transversely barred with
brownish-white. Secondaries with transverse bars of the
same on the outer web. Wing coverts coarsely and con-
spicuously barred with blackish. Lower part of neck,
except before, streaked with black and white.
Female with the white of the head changed to brownish-
yellow; the black of the head wanting. Length, 9.00;
wing, 4.35; tail, 2.85.
Hab. — Southern Texas and Yalley of the Eio Grande ;
Eepublican Eiver, Kansas; Washita Eiver, Indian Terri-
tory.
Habits. — This form, which appears to be confined to the
southern portion of Texas and to the Yalley of the Eio
Grande Eiver, was first described by Mr. Lawrence in 1853.
It has been taken in the neighborhood of San Antonio and
on the Nueces Eiver, by Captain Pope ; on Devil's Eiver
by Major AYilliam H. Emory; at Fort Clark, on the Pecos
Eiver, near Laredo, Texas, at Matamoras, and near 'New
Leon, Mexico, and in other localities, by Lieutenant Couch.
According to Mr. Clark, they were very abundant in the
Yalley of the Pecos, as well as in all Southwestern Texas.
They were much like the common Yirginia Quail in habits
as well as in appearance, and to his ear the note of this
bird was absolutely identical with that of the common
Quail. He has often been a spectator of fights among the
males of this variety. To this account Dr. Kennerly adds
that he observed them everywhere in considerable num-
12 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
bers from the coast to the headwaters of Devil's River, and
also along the Pecos Eiver; but farther west than this none
were seen. In the open prairie lands great numbers were
always found early in the morning in the road. The close
resemblance of its habits to those of the common PartridiJce
was also noticed.
This Quail was first observed by Dr. Heermann in abun-
dance on the Pecos River, although seen some days previ-
ous to reaching that point. Their numbers increased as
they neared civilization, and near San Antonio they be-
came very plentiful. The call of the male bird is said to
consist of two notes repeated at intervals, which are less
loud, clear, and ringing than those of the common Ortyx
Virgin ianus. They feed on the open prairies on grass seeds,
grains, berries, and insects, and, if alarmed, they take refuge
among the scattered mesquite-trees and clumps of bushes.
When hunted, they lie to the dog in the manner of the
common species, and, if flushed, fly in a direct line, with a
loud w^hirring noise, caused by the shortness and rapid mo-
tion of the wings. An egg of this bird, found by Dr. Heer-
mann dropped upon the road, was in form and color like
that of the common Quail, but smaller.
Mr. Dresser states that in Texas this bird is known as the
" Common Partridge '' of the country. He found it abun-
dant everyAvhere in localities suitable to its habits, ^ear
Matamoras it was very common, and was the only sj^ecies
of Quail he noticed there. At Eagle Pass and Piedras 'Ne-
gras, where the soil is sandy, the grass scanty, and cacti
abundant, he saw only one bevy, but plenty of the Calli-
pepla Squamata. Kear San Antonio only this Quail is found,
nor did he observe any other species in travelling towards
the northeast. Amongst the Bandara Hills, where he met
with the Massena Partridge, he also found the Texan Quail
in the valley and near the maize-fields. In travelling from
Brownsville to San Antonio the Texan Quail was every-
where abundant except in the sand deserts. This species
was found to be rather irregular as to its breeding season,
as he found young birds near Matamoras early in July, and
PLUMED partridge; mountain quail, of CALIFORNIA*
THE PARTRIDGES. 13
in September again met Avith quite young birds near the
Nueces River, and Dr. Heermann informed him that he
had likewise procured eggs near San Antonio late in Sep-
tember. He obtained a set of their eggs taken near San
Antonio, which are very similar to those of the Ortyx Yir-
(jhiianus, but are slightly smaller.— 5«i>^, Brewer and Bidg-
icay.
PLUMED PARTRIDGE; MOUNTAIN QUAIL.
Oreortyx pictus — Baird.
Sp. Char. — Head with a crest of two straight feathers,
much longer than the bill and head. Anterior half of the
body grayish-plumbeous ; the upper parts generally oliva-
ceous-brown with a slight shade of rufous, this extending
narrowly along the nape to the crest. Head beneath the
eyes and throat orange-chestnut, bordered along the orbits
and a short distance behind by black, bounded anteriorly
and superiorly by white, of which color is a short line be-
hind the eye. Posterior half of the body beneath white ;
a large central patch anteriorly, (bifurcating behind), with
the flanks and tibial feathers, orange chestnut-brown; the
sides of body showing black and white bands, the former
color tinged with chestnut. Under tail-coverts black,
streaked with orange-chestnut. Uj)per tertials margined
internalh' with whitish. Female differing only in slightly
shorter crest. Length, 10.50; wing, 5.00; tail, 3.25.— Jm?;.
Body, generally, pale brown, the feathers of the upper parts
minutely barred with darker, and with medial shaft-streaks
of blackish; lower plumage plain brown. Breast clear
ashy, presenting a well-defined area. Head pale brown,
similar to, but lighter than, the body, with a conspicuous
vertical and lateral (auricular) broad stripe of dark umber-
brown. Feathers of the flanks blackish, broadly bordered
with dingy whitish. A short truncated tuft of hair-like
14 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTEIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
feathers on the crown. (Described from fig^iires in Gray-
son's plate.)
Hab. — Mountain ranges of Califoi-nia and Oregon to-
wards the coast. Nevada (eastern slope and foot-hills of
the Sien-a Nevada ^ (Eidgway),
There are two quite different races of this species, but
which, however, pass gradually into each other, and must
be considered as merely the extremes of one species. They
may be defined as follows :
1. Var. Plctus. — Pure ash confined to the pectoral region ;
the russet-brown or rusty-olivaceous of the upper parts
covering whole neck and crown ; forehead entirely ashy.
Wing, 5.25; tarsus shorter than middle toe (1.27; middle
toe, 1.30.) Hah. — Washington Territory, Oregon, and up-
per coast region of California.
2. Var. Plumiferus. — Pure ash covering whole pectoral
region, and crown, nape, and upper part of back ; the gray-
ish-olivaceous above confined to the posterior parts. Fore-
head distinctly whitish. Wing, 5.25; tarsus longer than
middle toe (1.27; middle toe, 1.25.) Hah, — Sierra Nevada,
and Southern California to Cape St. Lucas.
Habits. — The Mountain Quail of California is said by
Dr. Newberry to be similar in some respects to the common
Partridge of Europe. It is nowhere very common, but
occurs sparingly throughout the entire length of California
and Oregon to at least the Columbia, and probably beyond
it, having much the same range with the Calif ornicus^ though
everywhere a rarer bird, and always confined to the hills
and mountains. Its habits are similar to those of the other
species of this family, but it is less gregarious, and is more
shy. It is usually found in the chaparral, where it is put
up with difticulty, as it seeks safety by running on the
ground rather than by flight. On the first of August, at
the base of Lassen's Butte, Dr. Newberry found a solitary
hen with a brood of very young chicks. The brood scat-
tered like young Partridges, uttering a piping note like that
of young chickens, and when all was still, again were re-
called by the mother with a chicky much like the call of the
THE PARTRIDGES. 15
common hen. The party frequently saw coveys and broods
of these birds, the young of which were about half grown,
until they reached the plains of Pit Eiver, ;N"one were
seen in the Klamath Lake basin, the country being too
bare and flat They were again met with among the hills
bordering the Willamette Valley, and were found from the
CoFumbia, almost uninterruptedly through the Siski3^ou,
Oalapooza, and Trinity Mountains, to California, They are
favorite pets with the miners, by whom they are frequently
kept in confinement, and not unfrequently command a high
price. Their flesh is said to be white and excellent, and
fully equal to that of any of the family.
According to Dr. Cooper, this Quail is very rare in Wash-
ington Territory, a few small coveys having been met with
about Vancouver, as he was informed by the officers in the
garrison. He never succeeded in finding any, though he
hunted for them several times with a dog. They became
quite common south of the Columbia, towards the prairies
of the Willamette. He inquired especially for them in
other parts of the Territory, but never heard of them. In
California, south of San Francisco, this bird is said to be a
rare curiosity to the market-hunters, one or two sometimes
occurring among flocks of the California Quail. It is known
to them as the Mountain Quail- I)r. Suckley states that
the hirds in the Willamette Valley were introduced there,
and that they are now multiplying rapidly upon the prai-
ries back of Fort Vancouver. With a very little care it is
thought the whole of the Territory may become well stocked
with them, as the absence of foxes west of the Cascade
Mountains and the mild open winters are favorable for their
increase.
Dr. Heermann found the birds of this species wild and dif-
ficult to procure, flying and scattering at the least symptom
of danger, and again calling each other together with a note
expressive of great solicitude, much resembling that of a
Hen-Turkey gathering her brood around her. During the
survey he observed these birds only once, and then but for a
few minutes, as they, were passing through a deep canon
16 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
leading down to Elizabeth Lake. They were seen by the
hunters on the mountains surrounding Tejon Valley; but
though he went several times in search of them, he ob-
tained none.
Mr. Eidgway met with the Mountain Quail on the foot-
hills of the Sierra Nevada, in the vicinity of Genoa and
Carson City, and also in the mountain ranges lying imme-
diately to the eastward of the Sierra. It was quite rare
and very difficult to discover, and when found was gener-
ally met with accidentally. He obtained it in November
in the thick chaparral at the eastern base of the Sierra Ne-
vada. In May he secured a pair in the cedar woods a little
to the eastward of Carson City, and in December a flock
was met with on the Comstock Mountain, near Pyramid
Lake. Its call-note when a flock is scattered is almost ex-
actly like that of a Hen-Turkey, only proportionally weaker.
When a flock is startled, they utter a confused chuckling
note, something like that of the common eastern Quail. The
male has a very pleasant crowing-note which sounds some
like koo-koo-koo'e. The settlers in Nevada, say that, previ-
ous to the settlement of that country by the whites, this
Quail was not found east of the Sierra Nevada, and affirms
that they followed the wagon-roads over the mountains, in
the rear of trains and wagons, for the purpose of picking
up the grain scattered along the road. Mr. Eidgway does
not give full credit to the truth of these statements, as he
was informed by the Indians at Pyramid Lake, that, within
the memory of the oldest members of their tribe, it had
always been found in that vicinity.
An Qgg of this species taken by Dr. Canfield, near Mon-
terey, California, measures 1.45 inches in length by 1.10 in
breadth. It is oval in shape; one end is considerably more
pointed than the other. It is of a very rich cream-color,
with a reddish shading, and unspotted. — Vol. TTI., Baird.
Brewer and Bid g way.
CALIFORNIA PARTRIDGE; VALLEY QUAIL.
THE PARTRIDGES. 17
CALIFOEOTA PAETEIDGE; YALLEY QUAIL.
Lophortyx Californicus. — Bonap.
Sp. Char.— Crest black. Anterior half of body and upper
parts plumbeous ; the wings and back glossed with olive-
brown. Anterior half of head above brownish yellow, the
shafts of the stiff feathers black; behind this a white trans-
verse band which passes back along the side of the crown ;
within this white, anteriorly and laterally, is a black suffu-
sion. The vertex and occiput are light brown. Chin and
throat black, margined laterally and behind by a white
band, beginning behind the eye. Belly pale buff anteriorly
(an orange-brown rounded patch in the middle) and white
laterally, the feathers all margined abruptly with black.
The feathers on the sides of body like the back, streaked
centrally with white. Feathers of top and sides of neck
with the margins and shafts black. Under tail-coverts
buff, broadly streaked centrally with brown.
Female similaii, without the white and black of the head;
the feathers of the throat brownish-yellow, streaked with
brown. The buff and orange-brown of the belly wanting.
The crest short. Length, 9.50; wing, 4.32; tail, 4.12.
Young. — Head as in the adult female. Upper parts pale
brown, finely mottled transversely with black; scapulars
and feathers of the back with yellowish-white shaft streaks,
widening at the end of the feather, and with a large black
spot on each web.
Chick. — Ground-color dingy white, tinged on the head,
wings, and upper parts with pale rusty. A broad stripe
on occiput and nape umber-brown ; upper parts with rather
confused and rather elongated mottlings ; an indistinct au-
ricular spot. Beneath plain dull white.
Hab. — Yalley portions and foot-hills of the Pacific Prov-
ince of the United States, south to Cape St. Lucas.
Habits. — This beautiful species, according to Dr. New-
berry, is called the Yalley Quail in California, to distinguish
it from the Plumed Quail, which inhabits the hills and the
18 FRANK SCIILEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
high lands, and is called the Mountain Quail. The common
Valley Quail of California inhabits the prairies and the
grain-fields of the cultivated districts, and frequents the
thickets which border the streams, usually in coveys of from
a dozen to a hundred individuals, except during the breed-
ing-season, when it is found only in pairs. Like the east-
ern Quail, the male bird is very fond of sitting on some
stump or log projecting above the grass and weeds which
conceal his mate and nest or brood, and, especially in the
early morning, uttering his peculiar cry, — whistle it can
hardly be called. This note is spoken of as being rather
harsh and disagreeable than otherwise, and somewhat re-
sembling that of some of the Woodpeckers. Dr. Newberry
adds that it may be represented by the syllables knck-kiick-
kuck-ka. the first three notes being rapidly repeated, the
last prolonged with a falling inflection. As a game bird
he regards this Quail as inferior to the eastern one, though
of equal excellence for the table. It does not lie so well to
the dog, does not afl^'ord as good sport, and takes to a ti^e
much more readily than the eastern Quail. It is found in
all the valleys of California and Oregon, both those in the
interior and. those that open on the coast. It is not found
in the deep forests, nor on the mountains at any consider-
able elevation, nor in the interior basin where water and
vegetation are scarce. Specimens were taken by his party
in difi:erent parts of the Sacramento Yalley, at Fort Jones,
and in the Willamette Yalley, near the Columbia. In all
these there was no aj)preciable difference. This bird is said
to make no elaborate nest, but to lay a large number of
eggs on the ground, which are generally hatched in June.
This bird is susceptible of domestication, and forms quite
an ornament for parks, in which they thrive with proper
care.
Dr. Suckley states that this Quail was successfully intro-
duced into Washington TeiTitory, on the prairies near
Puget Sound, in the spring of 1857, by Governor Char les
H. Mason and Mr. Goldsborough. Two lots were introdu-
ced, and by the following winter had increased largely.
THE PARTRIDGES. 19
Mr, Gibbs mentions haying met with great numbers of
these birds in Eussian Eiver in 1851, and again in the Kla-
math in 1852, They were very tame, but took to the bushes
when disturbed, perching on the limbs. Like the sharp-
tailed Grouse, they gathered in large flocks. This was the
case even when young, and it has been thence inferred that
several females belong to one male, and with their broods
all run together.
Dr. Kennerly states that his party first met with this
beautiful Partridge upon reaching the waters of the Mo-
have Eiver, and during the march up the stream he found
it yery abundant, as well as among the settlements along
the coast. He could perceive no diiference in its habits
from those of Lophortyx gamhelL
Dr. Heermann states that he found the California Quail
very numerous as far south as Yallecita, where commences
the desert that extends to the Colorado, forming an appar-
ently impassable barrier between it and the closely allied
species, Gambel's Partridge. When flushed from the
ground, it invariably flies to the trees, if in a wooded coun-
try, where it squats so closely lengthwise on a branch that
it can rarely be seen when thus hidden. It will not lie to
a dog, but runs until it is forced to fly. It may be readily
tamed, and in California is often domesticated with the
poultry. Several years since, according to Dr. Heermann,
an attempt was made to introduce these birds into Long
Island, which at first promised to be successful; but unfor-
tunately, after the first season, they were all exterminated
by the gunners for the New York market.
Mr. Eidgway met with this species only on the west
slope of the Sierra Nevada, and at an altitude of not more
than four or five thousand feet. He had no opportunity to
learn anything in regard to its habits, but was enabled to
listen to its notes. The call-note of the male is very pecu-
liar, and resembles somewhat the syllables kuck-Jmck-kee, the
accent being on the last syllable. The common note of the
male bird, when disturbed with its mate in the bushes, and
probably having a brood of young in the vicinity, was a
20 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
sharp pit, precisely like the common note of the Cardinal
Grosbeak. The nest of this bird is made in the open fields
or at the foot of a bush, and is composed of loose grasses
arranged without much care. The eggs are said to be
twelve or sixteen in number, and are yellowish or grayish
white, spotted and dashed with dark brown or burnt umber.
Mr. Titian E. Peale, in his Notes on the Wilkes Expedi-
tion, mentions observing this species in the mountainous
regions of Southern Oregon, near the 43d degree of north
latitude, which he regarded as their farthest northern
range. He frequently observed them collecting at night
to roost in trees. At such times their call-note was plain-
tive, and had a slight resemblance to the words cut-cut-cut
me-too. Specimens of this bird were taken alive, kept by
members of the expedition, and brought to the City of
Washington by a route equal to the circumference of the
Globe, where they produced one brood of young.
Soda Lake, the "sink" of the Mohave Kiver, the bed of
which is usually quite dry, except in spots, for many miles,
is said by Dr. Coues to be just where this species and the
Jj. gambeli find a neutral ground, the western bird following
the water-courses until arrested by the desert.
Mr. Xantus found this Quail breeding in great abundance
at Cape St. Lucas. In one instance he found four Qggti on
the bare sand, under a pile of drift-wood, without any trace
of a nest. In another, three eggs were found on the bare
ground, under a fallen cactus. In a third case there were
nine eggs, also laid on the bare ground, but in the shade of
a jasmine-bush. They were frequently found sheltered
under piles of drift-wood.
The eggs of this Quail are subject to great variations
in marking, and also diifer somewhat in size. They are
sharply pointed at one end and rounded at the other. One
^gg, measuring 1.30 in length by 1.00 in breadth, has a
ground-color of creamy white, freckled with markings of
a uniform shading of an olivaceous-drab. Another, meas-
uring 1.22 by .91 inches, has the ground-color of the same,
but the markings are larger and more confluent, and their
THE PARTRIDGES. 21
color is a rusty drab. A third is 1.18 by .95 inches ; ground-
color a creamy white marked by large scattered spots of
a chestnut-brown, — Baird^ Brewer and Ridgway,
GAMBEL'S PAKTRIDGE; ARIZONA QUAIL.
Lophortyx gambeli. — Gambbl.
Sp, Char, — General color cinereous ; abdoman plain whit-
ish ; inner or upper webs of tertials broadly edged with
white. Elongated feathers of the sides bright chestnut
with a medial streak of white.
Male. — The a,sh on the breast of a bluish caste, and the
whitish of the belly strongly tinged with yellowish-buif,
especially anteriorly; abdoman with a black patch. An-
terior half of the head, and whole throat, deep black, bor-
dered posteriorly with two broad, well-defined stripes
of white, — ^the upper of these crossing the middle of the
vertex and running backward above the auriculars to
the occiput; the other beginning at the posterior angle
of the eye and running downward. Vertex and occiput
bright rufous, bounded anteriorly and laterally with black.
Crest of black elongated, club-shaped, and considerably re-
curved feathers, springing from the vertex just behind the
black bar, one and a half inches long. Wing, 4.70; tail,
4.30; bill, .50 long, and .25 deep; tarsus, 1.15; middle toe,
1.15.
Female. — Head plain grayish, without white, black, or
rufous ; no black on abdoman, which also lacks a decided
buff tinge ; the cinereous of breast without, bluish caste.
Crest dusky, less than one inch long. Wing, 4.55; tail,
4.20.
Young. — Upper parts ashy brown, minutely and indis-
tinctly mottled ti-ansversely with dusky; scapulars and
wing-coverts with white shaft-streaks, the former with
pairs of dusky spots. Breast and sides with obsolete whit-
ish bars on an ashy ground.
22 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTINa.
Chick. — Dull sulphur-yellowish; a vertical patch, and
two parallel stripes along each side of the back, (four alto-
gether), black. (Described from Grayson's plate).
Hab. — Colorado Valley of the United States; north to
Southern Utah, and east to Western Texas.
Habits. — Gambel's Partridge was obtained by Dr. Ken-
nerly, near San Elizario, Texas, and on Colorado Eiver,
California, by Mr. A. S<3hott, and also by Dr. Kennerly. It
was not observed by Dr. Kennerly until he reached the
Valley of the Rio Grande, nor did he meet with any farther
west, in any part of Mexico, than San Bernardino, in Son-
ora. Though closely resembling in its habits the Scaly
Partridge, {Callipepla squamata), and in some instances oc-
cupying the same districts, he never found the two species
together.
According to Mr. J. H. Clark, this species was not met
with east of the Eio Grande, nor farther south than Pres-
idio del Norte. Unlike the squamata, it is very common
for this species to sit on the branches of trees and bushes,
particularly the male, w^here the latter is said to utter the
most sad and wailing notes. They are so very tame as to
come about the Mexican towns, the inhabitants of which,
however, never make any effort to capture them. They
only inhabit wooded and well-watered regions, and are said
to feed indifferently on insects or on berries; in summer
they make the patches of solarium their home, feeding on
its quite palatable fruit. When flushed, this Quail always
seeks the trees, and hides successfully among the branches.
Dr. Kennerly found this beautiful species in great num-
bers during the march of his party up the Eio Grande.
Large flocks were continually crossing the road before
them, or were seen huddled together under a bush. After
passing the river he met with them again so abundantly
along Partridge Creek as to give rise to the name of that
stream. Thence to the Great Colorado he occasionally saw
them, but after leaving that river they were not again seen.
They are said to become quite tame and half domesticated
where they are not molested. When pursued, they can
THE PARTRIDGES. 23
seldom be made to fly, depending more upon their feet as
a mode of escape than upon their wings. They run very
rapidly, but seldom, if ever, hide, and remain close in the
grass or bushes in the manner of the eastern Quail.
From Fort Yuma, on the Colorado Eiver, to Eagle Springs,
between El Paso and San Antonio, where he last saw a
flock of these birds, Dr. Heermann states he found them
more or less abundant whenever the party followed the
course of the Gila, or met with water-holes or streams of
any kind. Although they frequent the most arid portions
of the country, where they find a scanty subsistence of
grass-seed, mesquite leaves, and insects, they yet manifest
a marked preference for the habitations of man, and were
much more numerous in the cultivated fields of Tucson,
Mesilla Valley, and El Paso. Towards evening, in the
vicinity of the Mexican villages, the loud call-notes of the
male birds may be heard, gathering the scattered members
of the flocks, previous to issuing from the cover where they
have been concealed during the day. Eesorting to the
trails and the roads in search of subsistence,* while thus
engaged they utter a low Soft note which keeps the flock
together. They are not of a wild nature — often permit a
near approach, seldom fly unless suddenly flushed, and seem
to prefer to escape from danger by retreating to dense
thickets. In another report Dr. Heerman mentions finding
this species in California on the Mohave desert at the point
where the river empties into a large salt lake forming its
terminus. The flock was wild, and could not be approached.
Afterwards he observed them on the Big Lagoon of ISTew
Eiver. At Fort Yuma they were quite abundant, congre-
gating in large coveys, frequenting the thick underwood in
the vicinity of the mesquite-trees. Their stomachs were
found to be filled with the seeds of the mesquite, a few
grass seeds, and the berries of a parasitic plant. On being
suddenly flushed these birds separate very widely, but im«
mediately upon alighting commence their call-note, resem-
bling the soft chirp of a young chicken, which is kept up
for some time. The alarm over, and the flock once more
24 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
reunited, they relapse into silence, only broken by an occa-
sional cluck of the male bird. Once scattered they cannot
be readily started again, as they lie close in their thick,
bushy, and impenetrable coverts. Near Fort Yuma the
Indians catch them in snares, and bring them in great
numbers for sale.
Dr. Samuel W. Woodhouse first met with this species on
the Eio Grande, about fifty miles below El Paso, up to
which place it was extremely abundant. It was by no
means a shy bird, frequently coming about the houses;
and he very often observed the males perched on the top
of a high bush, uttering their peculiarly mournful calls.
He found it in quite large flocks, feeding principally on seeds
and berries. It became scarce as he approached Dona
Ana, above which place he did not meet with it again. He
again encountered it, however, near the head of Bill Wil-
liams Eiver and afterwards on the Tampia Creek, and it
was exceedingly abundant all along the Great Colorado.
He was informed that they are never found west of the
Coast Eange, in California. About Camp Yuma, below the
mouth of the Gila Eiver, they were very abundant and
very tame, coming quite near the men, and picking up the
grain wasted by the mules. They are trapped in great
numbers by the Indians.
This Quail is given by Mr. Dresser as occurring in Texas,
but not as a common bird, and only found in certain locali-
ties. At Muddy Creek, near Fort Clark, they were not
uncommon, and were also found near the Nueces Eiver.
Dr. Coues ( J6?'s, 1866), in a monograph upon this species,
describes its carriage upon the ground as being firm and
erect, and at the same time light and easy, and with colors
no less pleasing than its form. He found them to be ex-
ceedingly abundant in Arizona, and soon after his arrival
in the Territory he came upon a brood that was just out of
the Q^gg. They were, however, so active, and hid them-
selves so dexterously that he could not catch one. This
was late in July, and throughout the following month he
met broods only a few days old. The following spring he
THE PARTRIDGES. 25
found the old birds mated by April 25, and met witb the
first chick on the first of June. He infers that this species,
is in incubation during the whole of May, June, July, and
a part of August, and that they raise two, and even three,
broods * in a season. A single brood sometimes embraces
from fifteen to twenty young, which by October are nearly
as large as their parents. While under the care of the lat-
ter they keep very close together, and when alarmed either
run away rapidly or squat so closely as to be difficult to
flush, and, when forced up, they soon alight again. They
often take to low limbs of trees, huddle closely together,
and permit a close approach. The first intimation that a
bevy is near is a single note repeated two or three times,
followed by the rustling of leaves as the flock starts to run.
These birds are said to be found in almost every locality
except thick pine-woods without undergrowth, and are
particularly fond of thick willow copses, heavy chaparral,
and briery undergrowth. They prefer seeds and fruit, but
insects also form a large part of their food. In the early
spring they feed extensively on the tender fresh buds of
young willows, which give to their flesh a bitter taste.
This Quail is said to have three distinct notes, — ^the com-
mon cry uttered on all occasions of alarm or to call the
bevy tpgether, which is a single mellow clear "chink,"
with a metallic resonance, repeated an indefinite number of
times ; then a clear, loud, energetic whistle, resembling the
syllables Mllink-killink, chiefly heard during the pairing sea-
son, and is analogous to the bob-white of the common Quail;
the third is its love-song, than which. Dr. Coues adds, noth-
ing more unmusical can well be imagined. It is uttered
by the male, and only when the female is incubating. This
song is poured forth both at sunrise and at sunset, from
some topmost twig near the spot where his mate is sitting
on her treasures; and with outstretched neck, drooping
wings, and plume negligently dangling, he gives utterance
to his odd, guttural, energetic notes.
The flight of these birds is exceedingly rapid and vigor-
4
26 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SH00TIN9.
ous, and is always even and direct, and in shooting only
^requires a quick hand and eye.
In his journey from Arizona to the Pacific, Dr. Coues
found these birds singularly abundant along the Valley of
the Colorado ; and he was again struck with its indifference
as to its place of residence, being equally at home in scorched
mesquite thickets, dusting itself in sand that would blister
the naked feet, the thermometer at 117° Fah. in the shade,
and in the mountains of Northern Arizona, when the pine
boughs were bending under the weight of the snow. He
also states that Dr. Cooper, while at Fort Mohave, brought
up some Gambel's Quails by placing the eggs under a com-
mon Hen, and found no difficulty in domesticating them,
so that they associated freely with the barnyard fowls.
The eggs, he adds, are white, or yellowish-white, with
brown spots, and were hatched out in twenty-four days.
The nest is said to be a rather rude structure, about eight
inches wide, and is usually hidden in the grass. The eggs
number from twelve to seventeen.
Captain S. G. French, quoted by Mr. Cassin, writes that
he met with this species on the Rio Grande, seventy miles
below El Paso, and from that point to the place named
their numbers constantly increased. They appeared to be
partial to the abodes of man, and were very numerous
about the old and decayed buildings, gardens, fields, and
vineyards around Presidio, Isoleta, and El Paso. During
his stay there in the summer of 1851, every morning and
evening their welcome call was heard all around ; and at
early and late hours they were constantly to be found in
the sandy roads and paths near the villages and farms. In
the middle of the hot summer days, however, they rested
in the sand, under the shade and protection of the thick
chaparral. When disturbed, they glided through the bushes
very swiftly, seldom resorting to flight, uttering a pe(?aliar
chirping note. The parents would utter the same chirping
cry whenever an attempt was made to capture their young.
The male and female bird were always found with the
young, showing much affection for them, and even endeav-
THE PARTRIDGES. 27
oring to attract attention away from them, by their actions
and cries.
Colonel McCall (Proc. Phil. Ac, June, 1851), also gives
an account of this bird, as met with by him in Western
Texas, between San Antonio and the Eio Grande Eiver, as
well as in New Mexico. He did not fall in with it until he
had reached the Limpia Eiver, a hundred miles west of the
Pecos, in Texas, where the Acacia glandulosa was more or
less common, and the mesquite-grasses and other plants
bearing nutritious seeds were abundant. There they were
very numerous and very fat, and much disposed to seek
the farms and cultivate the acquaintance of man. About
the ranch o of Mr. White, near El Paso, he found them very
numerous, and, in flocks of fifty or a hundred, resorting
morning and evening to the barnyard, feeding around the
grain-stacks in company with the poultry, and receiving
their portion from the hand of the owner. He found them
distributed through the country from the Limpia to the
Eio Grande, and along the latter river from Eagle Spring
Pass to Dona Ana.
The same careful observer, in a communication to Mr.
Cassin, gives the western limit of this species. He thinks
it is confined to a narrow belt of country between the 31st
and 34th parallels of latitude, from the Pecos Eiver, in
Texas, to the Sierra Nevada and the contiguous desert in
California. It has not been found on the western side of
these mountains.
Colonel McCall met with it at Alamo Mucho, forty-four
miles west of the Colorado Eiver. West of this stretches
a desolate waste of sand, — a barrier which effectually sep-
arates this species from its ally, the California Quail.
This species is known to be abundant in the country
around the sources of the Gila Eiver, and has also been
found along that river from the Pimo villages to its mouth,
and there is no doubt that it inhabits the entire valley of
the Gila. It was also common along the Colorado Eiver,
as far as the mouth oi the Gila, and has been met with in
that valley as high up as Tampia Creek, latitude 34°.
28 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
Colonel McCall regards this species as less wild and vigi-
lant than the California species. It is later in breeding, as
coveys of young California Quail were seen, one-fourth
grown, June 4, while all the birds of Gambel's were with-
out their young as late as June 16. The cry may be imi-
tated by slowly pronouncing in a low tone the syllables
kaa-wale, kaa-wale. When the day is calm and still, these
notes may be heard to a surprising distance. This song is
continued, at short intervals, in the evening, for about an
hour. Later in the season when a covey is dispersed, the
cry for reassembling is said to resemble qua-el qua-el. The
voice of this bird at all seasons bears a great resemblance
to that of the California Quail, but has no resemblance to
that of the eastern Ortyx Virginiana. In their crops Avere
found the leaves of the mesquite, coleopterous insects, wild
gooseberries, etc.
An egg of this sjjecies, taken by Dr. Palmer at Camp
Grant, measures 1.25 inches in length by 1.00 in breadth.
The ground-color is a cream white, beautifully marked w4th
ragged spots of a deep chestnut. In shape it closely cor-
responds with the egg of the California Partridge. — North
American Birds, Baird, Brewer and Bidgway, Vol. III.
SCALED OE BLUE PARTRIDGE.
Callipepla Squamata. — Geay.
Sp. Char. — Head with a full, broad, flattened crest of soft
elongated feathers. Prevailing color plumbeous -gray, with
a fine bluish caste on jugulum and nape, whitish on the
bellj^, the central portion of which is more or less tinged
Vith brownish ; sometimes a conspicuous abdominal patch
of dark rusty, the exposed surface of the wings tinged with
light yellowish-brown, and very finely and almost imper-
ceptibly mottled. Head and throat without markings,
light grayish-plumbeous; throat tinged with yellowish-
THE PARTRIDGES. 29
brown. Feathers of neck, upper part of back, and under
parts generally, except on the sides and behind, with a nar-
row but well defined margin of blackish, producing the
eifect of imbricated scales. Feathers on the sides streaked
centrally with white. Inner edge of inner tertials, and
tips of long feathers of the crest, whitish. Crissum rusty-
white, streaked with rusty. Female similar. Length, 9.50 ;
wing, 4.80; tail, 4.10.
Hab. — Table-lands of Mexico and Valley of Eio Grande
of Texas. Most abundant on the high broken table-lands
and mesquite plains. — Baird, Brewer and Bidgway.
Habits. — The description of the habits of this Partridge
is as described in the "!N'orth American Birds," by Baird,
Brewer and Kidgway. They state: This bird was first
described as a Mexican species in 1830, by Mr. Yigors. For
a long while it has been an extremely rare species in col-
lections, and its history, habits, and distribution Remained
unknown until the explorations of the naturalists made in
the survey under the direction of the national government.
It was first noticed within the territory of the United
States by Lieutenant Abert, Topogi^aphical Engineer, who,
in his Report of the examination of New Mexico, furnished
several notes in relation to this species. In November,
1846, he mentions that, after having passed through Las
Casas, while descending through a crooked ravine strewn
with fragments of rocks, he saw several flocks of this spe-
cies. They were running along with great velocity among
the clumps of the kreosote plant. At the report of the
gun only three or four rose up, the rest seeming to depend
chiefly on their fleetness of foot. Their stomachs were
found to be filled with grass-seeds and hemipterous insects.
Captain S. G. French, in notes quoted by Mr. Cassin,
mentions meeting with these birds, in the same year, near
Camargo, on the Rio Grande. At Monterey none were
seen ; but on the plains of Agua Nueva, a few miles south
of Saltillo, they were observed in considerable numbers.
He afterwards met with them on the Upper Rio Grande,
in the vicinity of El Paso.
30 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
Though found in the same section of country with Gam-
bel's Quail, they were not observed to associate together in
the same flock. Their favorite resorts were sandy chap-
arral and mesquite bushes. Through these they ran with
great swiftness, resorting only, when greatly alarmed by a
sudden approach, to their wings. They were very shy,
and were seldom found near habitations, though once a
large covey, ran through his camp in the suburbs of El
Paso.
Colonel McCall (Proc. Phil. Ac, Y., p. 222) mentions meet-
ing with this species throughout an extended region, from
Camargo, on the Lower Eio Grande, to Santa Fe. They
were most numerous between the latter place and Dona Ana,
preferring the vicinity of water-courses to interior tracts.
They were wild, exceedingly watchful, and swift of foot,
eluding pursuit with surprising skill, scarcely ever resort-
ing to flight even on the open sandy ground. For the table
they are said to possess, in a high degree, the requisites of
plump muscle and delicate flavor.
In a subsequent sketch of this species, quoted by Mr.
Cassin, the same writer gives as the habitat at the entire
Yalley of the Eio Grande, — a territory of great extent from
north to south, and embracing in its stretch between the
Eocky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico every variety of
climate. This entire region, not excepting even the moun-
tain valleys covered in winter with deep snow, is inhabited
by it. It was found by him from the 25th to the 38th de-
gree of north latitude, or from below Monterey, in Mexico,
along the borders of the San Juan Elver, as high up as the
Taos and other northern branches of the Eio Grande. He
also found it at the head of the Eiado Creek, which rises
in the Eocky Mountains and runs eastwardly to the Cana-
dian.
Wherever found, they are always resident, proving their
ability to endure great extremes of heat and cold. In
swiftness of foot, no species of this family can comjjete
with them. When running, they hold their heads high
and keep the body erect, and seem to skim over the sur-
THE PARTRIDGES. 31
face of the ground, their white plume erected and spread
out like a fan.
On the Mexican side of the Eio G-rande this species is
found farther south than on the western bank, owing to
the rugged character of the country. In Texas its extreme
southern point is a little above Reinosa, on the first high-
lands on the bank.
Don Pablo de la Llave, a Mexican naturalist, states, in
an account of this species, (Registro Trimestre, I., p. 144,
Mexico, 1832), that he attempted its domestication in vain.
In confinement it was very timid, all its movements were
rapid, and, although he fed his specimens for a long time
each day, they seemed to become more wild and intractable.
It was found by him in all the mesquite regions of North-
ern Mexico.
vSpecimens of this Partridge were taken near San Pedro,
Texas, by Mr. J. H. Clark, and in New Leon, Mexico, by
Lieutenant Couch. According to Mr. Clark, they are not
found on the grassy prairies near the coast. He met with
them on Devil's River, in Texas, where his attention was
at first dirst directed to them by their very peculiar note,
which, when first heard, suggested to him the cry of some
species of squirrel.^ In the Valley of the Lower Rio Grande
he also met with these birds in companies of a dozen or
more. Their food, on the prairies, appeared to be entirely
insectivorous ; while on the Lower Rio Grande all the spec-
imens that were procured had their bills stained with the
berries of the M)tlntia. They were not shy, and would
rather get out of the way by running than by flying. At
no time, and under no circumstances, were they known to
alight in bushes or in trees. They were only known to
make mere scratches in the ground for nests, and their sit-
uations were very carelessly selected. Young birds were
found in June and in July.
Lieutenant Couch first met with this species about sixty
leagues west of Matamoras, and not until free from the
prairies and bottom-land. It was occasionally noticed, ap-
32 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
parently associating with the Ortyx texana, to which it is
very similar in habit.
Dr. Kennerly found them everywhere where there was
a permanent supply of fresh water, from Limpia Creek,
in Texas, to San Bernardino, in Sonora. They were met
with on the mountain sides, or on the hills among the low
mesquite-bushes and barrea. They apparently rely more
upon their legs than upon their wings, ascending the most
precipitous cliffs or disappearing among the bushes with
great rapidity.
The most western point at which Dr. Heermann observed
this species was the San Pedro Kiver, a branch of the Gila,
east of Tucson. There a flock of these birds ran before him
at a quick pace, with outstretched necks, heads elevated,
crests erect and expanded, and soon disappeared among
the thick bushes that surrounded them on all sides. After
that they were seen occasionally until they arrived at Lym-
pia Springs. Lieutenant Barton informed Dr. Heermann
that he had procured this species near Fort Clark, one
hundred and twenty miles west of San Antonio, where,
however, it was quite rare. It was found abundantly on
the open plains, often starting up before the party when
passing over the most arid portions of the route. They
also seemed partial to the prairie-dog villages. These,
covering large tracts of ground destitute of vegetation,
probably offered the attraction of some favorite insect.
Dr. Woodhouse met with this species on only one occa-
sion, as the party was passing up the Eio Grande, at the
upper end of Yalleverde, on the west side of the river, on
the edge of the sand-hills, feeding among the low bushes.
They were exceedingly shy and quick-footed. He tried
in vain to make them fly, and thej^ evidently preferred
their feet to their wings as a means of escape. He was
told that they were found above Santa Fe.
Mr. Dresser found this species on the Eio Grande above
Koma, and between the Eio Grande and the Nueces they
were quite abundant; wherever found, they seemed to have
the country to themselves, to the exclusion of other spe-
THE PARTRIDGES. 33
cies. He reports them as very difficult to shoot, for the
reason that, whenever a bevy is disturbed, the birds scat-
ter, and, running with outstretched necks and erected crests,
dodge through the bushes like rabbits, so as soon to be out
of reach. He has thus seen a flock of ten or fifteen disap-
pear so entirely as to render it impossible to obtain a single
one. If left undisturbed, they commence their call-note,
which is not unlike the chirp of a chicken, and soon re-
unite. It was utterly out of the question to get them to
rise, and the only way to procure specimens was to shoot
them on the ground, l^ear the small villages in Mexico he
found them very tame ; and at Presidio, on the Eio Grande,
he noticed them in a corral, feeding with some poultry.
He did not meet with their eggs, but they were described
to him, by the Mexicans, as dull white, with minute red-
dish spots.
The egg of the Callipepla squamata is regularly oval,
being much more elongated than with any other species of
this family. It measures 1.35 inches in length by .95 in
breadth. Its ground color is a creamy white, and its sur-
face is minutely freckled with specks of a pale drab.
MASSENA PAETEIDGE.
Cyrtonyx massena. — Gould.
Sp. Char. — Male. — Head striped with white, black, and
lead color ; chin black. Feathers above streaked centrally
with whitish, those on the outer surface of the wings
with two series of rounded black spots. Central line of
breast and belly dark chestnut ; the abdomen, thighs, and
crissum black ; the sides of breast and body lead color, with
round white spots. Legs blue. Length, 8.75 ; wing, 7.00 ;
tail, 2.50.
Female. — Prevailing color light vinaceous-cinnamon, the
upper parts barred and streaked as in the male. Head
5
34 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
without white or black stripes. Sides with a few narrow,
irregular streaks of black.
Young. — Somewhat similar to the adult female, but lower
parts whitish, the feathers, especially on the breast, with
transverse blackish spots on both webs.
Chick. — Head dingy white, with a broad occipital ellipti-
cal patch of chestnut-brown, and a blackish streak behind
the eye. Above rusty-brown, obscurely spotted with black ;
a white stripe on each side of the rump. Beneath almost
uniform dull white.
IIab. — Chiefly on the Upper Eio Grande from the high
plains of the Pecos. Fort Whipple, Arizonia ; IS'orthern
Mexico, southward, on the west coast, to Mazatlan. —
Baird, Brewer and Ridgway.
Habits. — Baird, Brewer, and Eidgway's description of
this bird's habits, in the ]S"orth American Birds, is as follows:
" This Quail was first met with by Lieutenant Couch in the
canon Cuyapuco, about twelve leagues south of Monterey.
Though rather shy, they seemed quite at home in the cul-
tivated fields and stubbles of the ranches."
Mr. Clark first noticed the species among a flock of the
Ortyx texana. Once, on flushing a covey of the latter, a
bird was seen to remain behind, and showed no inclination
to follow the rest. It attempted to hide in the grass, but
did not fly, and, when shot, proved to be a Massena Quail.
He says they occur either in pairs or in flocks, and when
once flushed fly farther than the Yirginia Quail, but do^not
lie so close. They may be approached within a few feet,
and followed up, particularly when in j)airs, running along
before one like so many domestic fowls. They are of quiet
as well as of retired habits, and a subdued though sharp
liote is the only noise that Mr. Clark ever heard them make,
and that only when frightened. He has known them to be
pursued, and all the barrels of a six shooter fired one after
another without alarming them ; and they were forced to
fly at last only by an attack of stones and clubs. He first
met with them in the neighborhood of San Antonio, and
found them thence sparsely distributed as an inhabitant,
THE PARTRIDGES. 35
botli of prairies and mountains as far westward as Sonora.
They are wilder than the Scaled Partridge, are less con-
spicuous and noisy, and are never seen in flocks, or, like the
latter, living about old camps. Their haunts are generally
far removed from the habitations of man, and the indiffer-
ence they sometimes manifest to his presence seems to be
due to ignorance of the danger from the power of that
enemy. Though distributed over the same country as the
C. squamata, they are never found in such barren regions,
always seeming to prefer the districts most luxuriantly cov-
ered with vegetation.
Dr. C. B. R. Kennerly states that this bird was never
seen farther south in Texas than Turkey Creek. In that
vicinity it was very common, and it also occurred at vari-
ous points thence to the Eio Grande. In the valley of this
river it was very rarely seen, giving way apparently to the
Scaly and to Gambel's Partridge. West of the river it was
very common, as far as the party travelled, wherever there
was a permanent supjily of fresh water. In the valley of
the Santa Cruz River and among the adjacent hills it was
extremely abundant. In the months of June and July it
was observed there always in pairs, while in Texas, in the
months of October and November, it w^as found in very
large flocks, sometimes of various ages, from the very small
and partly fledged to the full grown bird. When hunted,
they hide very closely in the grass, and Dr. Kennerly has
often known the Mexican soldiers in Sonora kill them with
their lances by striking them either while on the ground or
just as they rise. Some of these men were very expert in
the business, and obtained a good many in the course of a
day's travel.
Dr. Woodhouse met with this species a few miles above
the head of the Rio San Pedro, where he secured a single
specimen. He was informed by Captain S. G. French that
when he first passed over exactly the same route in 1849,
he met with a number of them in different localities, — at the
head of San Pedro, Howard Springs, and also at Eagle
Springs, — showing evidently that they have a range over
36 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
the country lying between the Eio Grande and the San
Pedro Elvers. He also stated that he had never met with
any near the settlements, but always among the wild, rocky,
and almost barren hills of that country. They are more
sociable and not so shy as the other species of this family.
Their food appears to be principally insects.
Mr. Dresser states that this bird is locally known as the
Black Partridge. For some time he sought for it near San
Antonio without success, but ultimately found it, in No-
vember, among the Bandera Hills. In its habits he states
it is more like the Texan Quail than any other; but on the
wing it is easily distinguished, it flies so heavily, though
very swiftly. When disturbed, they squat very close, and
will not move until approached veiy closely, when they
generally rise up from under one's feet. He did not meet
with this Quail in any other part of Texas than Bandera
country, but w^as told that it is abundant in the hilly coun-
try at the head of the Leona, and that it is also found near
Laredo.
In some remarks on the birds of "Western Texas, pub-
lished in the Proceedings of the Philadelphia Academy in
1851, Colonel McCall gives the first information to the pub-
lic touching the habits of this interesting species. We
learn from his narrative that it was not met with by him
before crossing the San Pedro Eiver, but that it was soon
after seen in the rocky regions into which he then entered ;
and thence as far as the Eio Pecos, a distance of one hun-
dred and forty miles westwardly, it was frequently seen,
though it was not anywhere very common. This entire re-
gion is a desert of great extent, north and south ; the gen-
eral face of the country is level, and produces nothing but
a sparse growth of sand plants. Water was found only at
long intei*vals, and except at such points there Avas ajipar-
ently neither food nor cover. There, among projecting
rocks on the bordei*s of dry gullies, or in loose scrub, this
bird was met with by Colonel McCall.
The habits of this species appeared to him to be different
from those of any other kind of Partridge he had ever met
THE PARTRIDGES. 37
with. They were in coveys of from eight to twelve indi-
viduals, and appeared to be simple and aifectionate in dis-
position. In feeding they separated but little, keeping up
all the while a social cluck. They were so gentle as to
evince little or no alarm on the approach of man, hardly
moving out of the way as they passed, and only running
off or flying a few yards, even when half their number had
been shot. Colonel McCall was of the opinion that they
might, with very little diflSculty, be domesticated, though
naturally inhabiting a barren waste nowhere near the habi-
tation of man. The call-note is spoken of as very peculiar.
The bird was not seen by his party after crossing the Pecos
River. Mr. Gould, without any information in regard to
the habits or economy of this species, in his Monograph of
American Partridges, judging from the comparative short-
ness of the toes and the great development of the claws,
ventured the opinion that the habits would be found very
different from those of other members of the family, which
opinion is thus confirmed. Mr. Cassin thought he could
trace in the circular spots, numerous in the lower part of
the body, an analogy in character to the Guinea-fowls,
which is further shown by their habit of continually utter-
ing their notes as they feed, and by other similarity in their
manners.
Captain S. G. French, cited by Mr. Cassin, mentions meet-
ing with this Partridge in the summer of 1846, when cross-
ing the table-lands that extend westwardly from San
Antonio, in Texas, to Kew Mexico. On the sides of a high
rocky mountain near the summit, he observed several of
them only a few feet in advance of him. They were run-
ning along over the fragments of rocks and through the
dwarf bushes, which grew wherever there was sufficient
soil. He was attracted by their handsome plumage and
their extreme gentleness. A few days after, when encamp-
ed on the head-waters of the river, he again met with a
covey, and from that point occasionally encountered them
on the route to the Pecos River, a distance of over a hun-
dred miles. He did not meet with them again until he
38 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
came to Eagle Springs, in a mountainous region about
twenty-five miles from the Eio Grande. In the spring of
1851, on the same route, he saw only two of these birds,
and was led to the 'belief that they are not at all numerous.
They appeared to rnhabit the rocky sides of the mountains
and hills, in the desolate region of elevated plains west of
the fertile portions of Texas. In no instance did he meet
with any of these birds near the settlements. Wild and
rocky hillsides seemed to be their favorite resort, where
trees were almost unknown and all vegetation was very
scant. The coveys showed but little alarm on being ap-
proached, and ran along over the rocks, occasionally
attempting to secrete themselves beneath them. In this
case they could be approached to within a few feet. When
startled by the firing of a gun, they fly but a few yards
before again alighting, and exhibit but little of that wild-
ness peculiar to all the other species of Partridge. The
contents of the crop in Captain French's specimens con-
sisted exclusively of fragments of insects, principally grass-
hoppers. ISTo trace whatever of food of a vegetable char-
acter was found.
Don Pablo de la Llave, quoted by Mr. Cassin, furnishes
the following account of the habits of this Partridge, ob-
served by him in specimens taken near the City of
Mexico.
"It is only a few days since the third species has been
brought to me. It is rather smaller than the former, (C.
squamata,) and its deportment is entirely difi^erent. It car-
ries its head habitually resting on its shoulders, the neck
being excessively small and deflexed, and in everything it
shows an amiability, and, so to speak, kindness of charac-
ter (^una hondad de caracter)^ which is not found in any other
species of this genus, and it is naturally so tame and do-
mestic as to permit itself to be caught with the hand.
These birds are always united, forming a covey, and when-
ever one is separated the others follow it. They do not,
like others, wish to sleep on elevated places, but sit on the
ground, drawing very near together. Their notes, which
THE PARTRIDGES. 39
are not varied, are very low and soft, and I have never \
heard loud cries from the male. When they are frightened j
they show much activity and swiftness; at other times \
their gait and movement are habitually slow and deliber- !
at§, carrying the crest puffed up. {Es]payadd),'"
40 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDCxE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
THE GUN; HOW TO CHAEGE; SIZE OF SHOT.
tHE gun for shooting Partridges, whether breech or
muzzle loader, must, to my mind, be a short barrel
^zp gun, and No. 12, 13 or 14 guage, and about eight
^ pounds weight. The length of barrel must not be
more than twenty-nine inches. This size of guage, and
weight of gun and length of bai^rel, day in and day out,
under all circumstances, in the open field, in bogs, swamps,
woodland, and in entangled vines and thickets, and in brush
and bushes, I have found in my experience to be the best
and most desirable. For a gun of this description I would
recommend as the best killing charge, in my opinion, for
shooting Partridges, to be:
For a 12 guage, 3 drachms of j^owder, flask measure, and
IJ ounces of shot.
For a 13 or 14 guage, 3 drachms of powder, 11 ounces
of shot.
As the best killing size of shot for shooting Partridges,
I would recommend No. 8 for October, No. 7 for Novem-
ber, No. 6 for December and the season through.
HOW TO AIM, AND SHOOT. 41
HOW TO AIM, AND SHOOT.
|0 shoot Partridges on the wing, or any kind of game
that is moving rapidly, it is not necessary to close
one eye to take aim. Game can be killed as well,
and as quick, if not quicker, by the sportsman, with
both eyes wide open. The quickest shot is the best ; the
quickest aim makes the best shooting with a shot-gun. In
shooting fast-flying birds on the wing, or any kind of game
that is moving rapidly, aim with both eyes wide open, and
follow the game with the eyes, keeping them wide open,
and riveted on the object you are shooting at. Don't wink,
or bat the eyes, but keep them firmly fixed with penetrat-
ing force on the flying, or moving object of your aim, and
draw the trigger of the gun only by the dictation of the
eyes. Under no other circumstances allow your finger to
draw the trigger, except by the promptings of the eyes.
The eyes, when properly fixed upon a moving object, are
seldom wrong in their aim, and if the finger obeys the
promptings of the eyes, the trigger is most always drawn
correctly. Concert of action must be with brain, finger,
arm, and eyes. These movements, in obeying the eyes,
must be as instantaneous as an electric shock. The con-
cert of action must be as quick as a flash of lightning.
When the eyes say fire, brain, finger, and arm must obey
the command without an instant's deliberation. By the
slightest variation of the finger in drawing the trigger at
this critical moment, the steadiness of the aim will be lost —
consequently the game is missed. If a Partridge springs,
pitch the gun quickly to your shoulder and fire — down with
it without a moment's thought. This is the only way to
become a keen, quick shot. The first aim when a bird is
flying, is the most perfect one — don't hesitate a second, but
6
42 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
draw the trigger and bring it down. If a Hare bounces
up under your feet, pitch the gun quickly to your shoulder,
cast your eyes on it, draw the trigger and knock it over —
don't poke about it. The sportsman who can shoot his
game the quickest is the best shot. It is not necessary to
see a bird to kill it, at the time of fire. Birds are killed by
calculation, and in fact in covert shooting, three out of four
birds are killed without even being seen. When a Partridge
springs in a thicket which has grown up dense, and the small
.trees and bushes are full of leaves, it will be out of sight in
an instant, and will escape, unless you knock it down by
•gtiessing, or calculation, shooting in the direction it is going,
gihd that must be done in a moment, for you have no time
to; reflect, but must be as quick as a flash in judging the
•flight of the bird; and the distance it is off. You must also
.know by practice the exact location where to shoot to kill
.itj if the least moment of time is lost in following the
course it has taken, or a moment of reflection given in
Ijudging its exact location, the bird will not be killed, but
'\i^ill go on, and in one second will be out of killing range
.ocf the shot. To be a keen, quick, accurate shot, you must
.have quick movements, and good judgment in all your ac-
tions. You should be able to handle and level the gun as
qlaickly and readily as thought. You must be able to pitch
I the gun to your shoulder and point the muzzle accurately
.in an instant. You must be able to aim in every direction
.with ease, and must follow all kinds of moving objects*
whether flying or running, as accurately and unerringly as
.a: bloodhound follows his prey. You must acquire quick-
,11)688 in shooting fast-flying birds, and if your movements
.are naturally slow, you can never become a keen, quick
ishot. Quickness and good judgment are the landmarks
to observe in shooting fast-flying game. In taking aim
.draw the trigger and fire, if it is only where you expect a
ibird to appear, or about where one has disappeared. Birds
'Often fly when in thick undergrowth very singularly —
-some frequently twist and dart, others fly off' in a direct
line behind bushes and trees, and it requires quick move-
AND SHOOT. 4^
ments and good shooting to bring them down. These at6
difficulties that good judgment alone will overcome. A'i
some seasons of the year most shooting is done in wood
and thicket — in thick cover through which you can scarcely
force your way. This kind of shooting requires considei*-
able practice. One half the time you are not able to Bei^
your game, and you cannot judge correctly their positioft
and distance, but you must learn to guess at it from all 'the
circumstances. To kill birds under these circumstances It
requires a quick eye, a clear mind, and a ready hand. Tl^e
sportsman will have to serve an apprenticeship at the btlBi'-
ness before he can attain the art. Shooting birds in d^e'i'i
fields on the wing, is entirely different from shooting bli'^jk
in thick cover, such as you find in the mountains and MYi^,
swamps, densely grown-up clearings and tliickets. In Op^n
ground you can see the birds, you can judge with WMt
velocity they are flying, you have no bushes, trees, ot*'c)fci-
structions to interfere with you in taking aim. You 'ttili
have more time to judge the distance they are off at' the
time of drawing the trigger. You will therefore pereeiv'e
that shooting birds out in the open on the wing will ad^ttd't
of taking more deliberate aim than shooting under ihi^k
cover, because you have more time for deliberation. YOti
can close one eye in taking aim with ease and shoot i^6f-y
accurately when a bird rises in open fields, flying in ceilJkiii
directions. But when shooting in woods, bushes, ktiii
thickets, or difficult places, you have no time to lose iii ^^-
ting aim, and the only plan to pursue to be successful; 'is^.tb
shoot with both eyes wnde open. After years of e^t^iei^i-
eni'e in the field and in shooting all kinds of fast-flyitti^,
and running game, I offer you my method of shooting^aiid
aimino- where trame is found in different locations anduii-
der certain circumstances. When a bird springs in a tMbktlt
and flies straight off through bushes and hanging braiiiCh*^^,
l>itch your gun quickly to your shoulder, cast both ei^es'c|n
the bird, draw the trigger and fire, without an institiit's
deliberation. When a bird springs in thict cover and'flics
to the right or left behind bushes, pitch the gun quickfy'to
44 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
your sjioulder, cast both eyes upon it, or the direction it
has taken, or where it is likely to appear, or close to where
it disappeared, draw the trigger and fire, and keep the
gun moving for an instant after the trigger is drawn.
When a bird springs close under your feet out in the open
fields and goes oif slowly, offering a fair shot, pitch the
gun quickly to your shoulder, catch aim on the bird by
looking down the barrel of the gun with one eye closed,
and when your eye informs you that your aim is correct,
draw the trigger and bring it down. "When a Hare boun-
ces up in open field, where you have a clear, open shot, and
it gets up close under your feet and runs straight oif, pitch
the gun quickly to your shoulder, catch aim on the Hare
by looking down the barrel with one eye closed, and when
it is at the proper distance, draw the trigger and knock it
over. But when a Hare bounces up in open field and darts
for cover w^hich is but a short distance ofi", pitch the gun
quickly to your shoulder, cast both eyes upon the Hare,
and draw the trigger without an instant's deliberation.
When a bird springs in open field, and flies to the right or
left, or rises some distance oif and makes for the woods, or
thicket, pitch the gun quickly to your shoulder, cast both
eyes upon it, and draw the trigger and fire, and keep the
gun moving for an instant after the trigger is drawn. But
when a bird springs close to your feet in a thicket, or clear-
ing, and flies out in open ground or fields and goes straight
oif, pitch the gun quickly to jour shoulder, catch aim on it
by looking down the barrel of the gun with one eye clos-
ed, and when your eye says it is at the proper distance to
be killed, calmly draw the trigger and fire. When a bird
springs far in advance, and comes directly towards you fly-
ing over head, and in full flight, pitch the gun quickly to
your shoulder, cast both e^^es upon it, draw the trigger and
fire in an instant, and before it gets directly over head.
But if it is driven by a north-wester, and comes directly over
head, turn and pitch the gun quickly to your shoulder, catch
aim on it by looking up the barrel of the gun with one eye
closed, draw the trigger and fire. Where game is found in
HOW TO AIM, AND SHOOT. 45
different locations and in difficult positions, where, it re-
quires keen, quick shooting to bag it, my method is to aim
and shoot with both eyes wide open. But wherever an
open, flying, or running shot offers, to aim and shoot with
one eye closed.
46 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
EA]!^GE OF THE GVls.
[JmANGE of the gun is the distance the shot travels
III from the month of the gun, through the air, to where
they fall to the ground; and you must be able to
judge with your eye the best killing distance at
which to fire, Eange is a rock over which many sports-
men lose their brilliancy; because they cannot correctly
judge distances. I have often seen sportsmen shoot at
Partridges flying too far off, and away out of killing range
of the gun, thinking the birds were in killing range, and I
have seen others neglect to fire upon Partridges flying a
short distance ofl" in killing range; because they would
fancy the birds were out of range of the gun. To become
a good shot, you must learn to be an accurate judge of dis-
tances, when in the field, and you must know by a flash
of your eye the proper distance at which to fire upon a
bird to bring it down. To be successful in your shooting
you should be able to measure at a glance, with your eye,
thirty, forty, or fifty yards distance with ease and cer-
tainty. Unless you learn to judge distances accurately
when in the field, you will never become certain of stop-
ping your birds, but will often find yourself shooting at
birds too close, or far out of reach or killing range of the
gun. It is more difficult to guess distances correctly in
large open fields, than it is in small fields or wood. On
rolling land, and on hills in mountainous districts, you are
liable to make mistakes in calculating distances ; especially
if you have been in the habit of shooting in open fields, or
on level ground. To remedy these mistakes when in the
field, practice measuring distances with your eye. Mea-
sure off* first thirty yards, then forty, and so continue on
RANGE OF THE GUN. 47 ;
up to one hundred yards, and by practicing measuring '\
these distances with your eye, you will be able in a short j
time to judge 'the distance of thirty up to one hundred ;
yards with ease, certainty, and with skill. j
48 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
THE KILLING EANGES OF THE GVl^.
|WffiHE killing ranges of the gun, are short range, ordi-
g|E| nary range, and long range. Short range is that
*" " distance at which you fire upon Partridges flying
with certainty, without making any allowance in
the aim for the shot to fall, or for the shot to be drifted
from the aim by wind. All Partridges you fire at with
certainty, at any distance from the spot where you stand
up to twenty-five or thirty yards, are short range. Ordi-
nary range of the gun is that distance which is something
farther than short range, but not quite the distance of long
range. It is that distance at which a Partridge flying is
likely to be killed, by taking good aim, and covering the
bird carefully. It may be said to be from twenty-five to
thirty, up to the distance of forty-five yards. All shots
you fire beyond the distance of forty-five yards cannot be
relied upon for ordinary range. Long range is one of the
killing ranges of the gun. It is that distance at which you
fire upon Partridges flying, where the result would be
doubtful and uncertain about your killing them, even
though the aim may be ever so accurate. All distances you
fire beyond forty-five yards, are long range. Whenever a
Partridge is flying at such a distance oif, that you are
doubtful and uncertain about killing it, and it is over forty-
five yards distant, it is at long range, but not out of killing
range of the gun. Partridges flying may be killed at fifty,
sixty, and up as high as one hundred yards distance,
with most any ordinary gun, if the gun is charged prop-
erly, and you have a fair open shot. But all such distan-
ces are doubtful and uncertain. Where one Partridge fly-
ing is killed at the distance of one hundred yards, there
are twenty missed. All such distances are long range ; be-
THE KILLING RANGES OF THE GUN. 49
cause it is doubtful, and uncertain, about killing the bird
fired at, even though the aim may be ever so perfect.
Twenty-five to thirty yards, is the utmost limit of distance
of certainty. No gun, muzzle or breech loader, will throw
shot close enough every time it is fired, to make sure of
killing Partridges every time outside of these distances,
I care not by whom, or how the gun is charged, nor do I
care how the gun is sighted, or by whom. From the dis-
tance of thirty yards up to forty-five the chances are one
out of two against killing every Partridge at which you
fire. From the distance of forty-five yards up to eighty,
the chances are three out of four, against killing every
Partridge which you fire upon. A Partridge flying straight
off presents a very small mark to hit, not more than one
inch square, and this space is nearly all bone, and one
small pellet of shot lodged in a Partridge's back is not
always sufficient to bring it down. Sportsmen who fire
long shots at Partridges should remember this..
50 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
STEAIGHT FOEWARD SHOTS.
(jj^TRAIGHT forward shots are very uncertain shots
g| to fire, and they are the easiest of all flying shots to
catch aim upon. A bad marksman- will be more apt
to kill upon a straight forward shot, than any other
flying shot. When a Partridge rises and goes straight
off, if it is within twenty-five or thirty yards, aim directly
at the bird. If within twenty-five or thirty yards up to
forty-five, aim to just cover the bird. From the distance
of forty-five yards up to sixty, seventy, or eighty, aim two
or three inches above the bird. A Partridge flying straight
off is a very uncertain shot to kill — ^you have nothing but
its rump to shoot at, and there are three chances out of
four, that unless you hit it with two pellets of shot, it will
not be brought down, and the chances are, that the shot
will pass around it, and it will escape being hit. Straight
forward shots are uncertain for the sportsman — they are
not likely to hit, no matter how perfect the aim may be,
and if they do hit, are not apt to kill, as the vital parts of
the bird are more or less protected by the rump bone, and
the bird is likely to get off with a wound, or the loss of
a few feathers. I have killed Partridges flying straight
off at fifty, sixty, and as high as one hundred yards dis-
tance, but they were all chance shots — where you would
kill one Partridge flying straight off at one hundred yards,
you would miss twenty. A Partridge is a small object
when it is divested of its feathers, and when it is flying
straight off it presents a very narrow and small mark to
shoot at. Sportsmen when they shoot straight shots at
long distances, should bear this in mind. Twenty-five or
thirty yards is the very outside limit of distance of cer-
tainty to fire upon Partridges flying straight off. Beyond
STRAIGHT FORWARD SHOTS. 51
these distances, notwithstanding the aim may be all right,
the scattering of the shot makes it very uncertain as to
killing them. To prove this statement let the s^DOrtsman
place a target off thirty yards distant, and fire at it, and
he will be surprised to see how widely scattered the shot
strikes at that distance. Then let him take into consider-
ation that so small a space as one inch square would be
sufficient to let a Partridge through flying straight off,
and he would readily be convinced how easily a Partridge
could escape being hit "beyond this distance. As I have
already stated a Partridge flying straight off presents a
small mark to hit. It is not so when it is flying around,
or across to the right, or the left — ^you have a larger mark
to shoot at, and the bird exposes all its vital parts to the
fire, and one pellet of shot will be sufficient to bring it
down, because the shot hits a vital part. But when a Par-
tridge flies straight off all its vital parts are protected, and
if you hit it with one pellet of shot, it is in the rump, and
that would not always be sufficient to bring it down, and
the only chance that is left is to break its wing. If the
shot fails to do this, the bird goes on wounded^ or perhaps
escapes through the shot without one happening to hit.
When in the field always choose a Partridge that is flying
to the left to fire upon in preference to one that is flying-
straight off. The chances are two to one in your favor of
killing the bird flying to your left, A Partridge flying
straight off is a beautiful and easy mark to get aim at, and
this is the reason that youug beginners, and bad marks-
men, are more successful in shooting Partridges flying
straight off than in any other direction, because they al-
ways shoot in a hurry — being excited, they fire upon the
bird very close, at short range, so that the shot are not
scattered, and if the gun happens to be pointed correctly,
the bird is generally killed. But it is not so with cross
shots — there must be a combination of movements to be
successful in catching aim, which requires judgment, prac-
tice, and ex])eriencc of years, in perfecting the eye, and in
handling the gun.
52 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
CEOSS SHOTS.
JEOSS Shots are lines of flight taken by birds across
the sportsman, and may include oblique, curved,
and the different angular flights. They inay include
all angles of flight a Partridge takes in flying across
the sportsman, whether acute or obtuse. Cross Shots are
more fatal if they hit than straight forward shots, as all
the vital parts of the bird^ when crossing are exposed to
the fire. Xever refuse to fire cross shots, as they most
easily kill of all flying shots if they hit. The shot strikes
harder and stronger a crossing bird, than one flying in the
same direction as the shot. A Partridge flying around to
the left is the best shot to fire at, and it is the easiest of
all fl^^ing shots to kill ; because the whole vital parts of
the bird are exposed to the fire, and if one pellet of shot
hits with force, the bird will be brought down and killed ;
and the gun being balanced in the left hand by stepping
forward with the right foot, the body can be turned with
ease to the left side, to aim and follow the bird in its flight.
It is not so with a bird flying to the right, or over head — it
is more difiicult to turn the body to aim, as the gun cannot
be carried to the right side, or over head as readily as to
the left side. Therefore, when in the field take every op-
portunity to avail yourself of all the cross, or side shots
you can get at Partridges flying around to the left. When
a Partridge rises to the right or left of you, within twenty-
five or thirty yards distance, aim directly at the bird's
body and fire. If within thirty 3'ards up to forty-five, aim
to just cover the bird. From forty-five yards up to eighty
aim two or three inches higher than the bird's body, or in
other words, aim just a little above the bird. It is not ne-
cessary to aim in the advance of a Partridge, flying around
CROSS SHOTS. 53
or across, no matter how fast it is flying, unless the wind
is blowing a gale, and you are shooting across the wind —
then the aim should be a little in the advance, as the case
may be, especially at long range. It is not necessary to
make any allowance for the motion of the bird's flight, as
the shot travels from the mouth of the gun, up to the ilis-
tance of thirty, to eighty yards almost instantaneously,
and it would not be worth while to calculate about the mo-
tion of the bird's flight, because the shot scatters at this dis-
tance very widely, and would compass four or five feet, and
one or two inches aim in front or behind the bird would not
alter the case a particle. The secret in shooting cross shots
lies in not arresting the impetus of the gun at the time of
pulling the trigger. If the impetus of the gun is stopped,
the bird will invariably be missed by the shot striking in
the bird's rear. If a Partridge rises and flies to the right,
step back with your right foot, and aim at its body and
fire, and keep the gun moving in the line of flight of the
bird for an instant after the trigger is drawn. If a Par-
tridge rises and flies to the left, step with your right foot
forward, aim at the bird's body and fire, and be sure not
to aiTest the impetus of the gun at the time of drawing the
trigger. There is no necessity for aiming in the advance
of a bird flying around, or across to be successful, as some
writers allege. The secret of cross shooting, or killing a
bird flying across, lies not in aiming in front of the bird,
nor does it lie in aiming behind the bird, but in aiming right
at the bird, and in catching perfect aim on the bird, and in
holding on to the aim, and in not losing it, and by not ar-
resting the impetus of the gun at the time of drawing the
trigger.
54 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
DESCEKBmG SHOTS.
IeSCENDING Shots are courses of flight taken by
Partridges flying downward from the sportsman,
and may include all directions of flight a Partridge
flying takes descending. Partridges when flushed
on a hill, instead of flying straight off, more usually
dart down along the side of the hill in a downward direc-
tion, and unless the sportsman takes good care he will
find himself invariably missing these birds — even the fairest
shots — by shooting too high, because a Partridge flying
down hill is all the while lowering, and if the aim is directly
at the bird, and the impetus of the gun is stopped at the
time of drawing the trigger, the bird will undoubtedly be
missed, as the shot will pass over the bird, being driven
too high. To be successful in shooting descending shots, or
Partridges flying down hill, or sinking or lowering, apply
the same rules as I have given for cross shooting. If within
twenty-five or thirty yards, aim directly at the bird, and
fire, and so on, and always remember to keep the gun
moving in the line of flight of the bird, for an instant after
the trigger is drawn. Descending shots are like cross
shots — nine times out of ten, it is by arresting the motion
of the gun in the line of flight of the bird, at the time of
drawing the trigger, that causes you to miss your mark.
Sometimes Partridges fly straight off, and all of a sudden
will ascend in flight over a fence, or a clump of bushes, or
the like, and immediately on clearing the fence, bushes, or
the like, will descend again. These minute matters, though
seeming of little importance, should never be lost sight of,
and it is well not to allow yourself to be thrown off of your
guard. It is by these minute considerations, an observant
sportsman and good shot surpasses in excellence in shoot-
DESCENDING SHOTS. 55
ing, his companions, and fills his game bag. The secret
of shooting descending shots, or a bird flying down hill, or
sinking or lowering, lies not in aiming below the bird as
some sportsmen affirm, nor does it lie in aiming above nor
in front, nor behind the bird, but in aiming right at the
bird, and in catching aim on the bird, and in not losing
it ; and by not stopping the motion of the gun at the time
of drawing the trigger.
56 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
OVEE HEAD SHOTS.
iVEE head shots are among the most difficult of all
shots by which Partridges are killed on the wing^
and most sportsmen who are good shots in every
other particular, and can kill Partridges flying in all
otter directions, when they come to fire upon Partridges
flying over head, invariably miss them. The fault lies in
shooting directly over head, or too quickly when the bird is
advancing, and not quick enough when the bird has passed
over head. By handling yourself and gun quickly and swift-
ly, there is plenty of time to catch aim on the bird when
the bird is advancing towards you, and before it gets over
your head, and this is your best chance to fire upon it, to
kill it, and this is the time to bring it down. But if the
bird is close on you, and flying very rapidly, and coming
with the wind with great velocity advancing directly over
your head, and would not admit of your catching aim on
it, withhold your fire, and let the bird pass over your head,
then turn quickly and take a fair shot at it going oft\ But
when a Partridge is advancing, and will admit of your
taking aim at it before it gets over your head, lose no time
nor opportunity, but draw the trigger and fire, and if you
miss it you will have a chance to bring it down with the
second barrel, after it has passed over head, by turning
and taking a fair shot at it flying off". Some sportsmen
seldom shoot at Partridges advancing towards them, they
are under the impression that if the shot hits a bird when
it is approaching, the shot will glide off of the feathers
without penetrating through the skin. This is altogether
a mistaken idea. I have killed hundreds of Partridges
flying, coming directly towards me, and when the gun
would crack the shot would knock the life right out of
OVER HEAD SHOTS. 57
them, and they would fall dead as a rock, and often I have
shot them coming under full headway, right on me, and
when the gun would crack, they being so close the shot
would fairly riddle them, and I have often killed them fly-
ing down hill, coming directly at me, and flying so swiftly,
being frightened, that when the shot would hit them, they
would be coming with such velocity, that they would
fall ten feet behind me, and on several occasions I have
caught them when they were falling, with my hand, and
have had them to fall dead at my feet. And I have even
had birds that were wing-tipped, when falling, to pitch
and hit me. I have killed Partridges flying in every con-
ceivable direction, advancing towards me, or passing over
my head ; and I have always found, that when the gun
was pointed right, and the aim correct, and the bird in
killing range of certainty, it was brought down and killed.
It made no difference in which direction the bird was fly-
ing, whether it was advancing towards me, or going away
from me. When a Partridge has passed over head, flying
in full flight, be quick in your movements, turn your body
and catch aim on the bird in an instant, draw the trigger
and fire. The aim should be quick, and very accurate, be-
cause the bird is in full flight going at the top of its speed,
and flying very swiftly, and unless you catch aim on it, in
an instant, and shoot quickly, it will get out of killing dis-
tance of certainty of the gun, and unless the aim is perfect
the bird will be missed, because it is flying at an acute an-
gle with the shot. To be successful in shooting Partridges
flying over head, all you have got to do, is to aim directly
at the bird, and keep up the motion of the gun with the
flight of the bird, and always remember to shoot the first
barrel when the bird is advancing towards you, and before
it gets over your head, so if you should happen to miss
your mark, you will have another chance at the bird with
the second barrel, by turning and taking a fair shot at it
flying oft\ Unless strict attention is paid to these rules,
you will miss the fairest marks offered by Partridges flying
over head.
58 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
PAETEIDGE; QUAIL; BOB-WHITE.
Ortyx, Virginianus. Var. Virginianus. — Bonap.
P. CHAE. — Forehead, and line through the eye and
along the side of the neck, with chin and throat,
white. A band of black across the vertex, and ex-
tending backwards on the sides, within the white,
and another from the maxilla beneath the eye, and- cross-
ing on the lower part of the throat. The under parts are
white, tinged with brown anteriorly; each feather with
several narrow, obtusely Y-shaped bands of black. The
forepart of back, the side of the breast, and in front just
below the black collar, of a dull pinkish-red. The sides of
body and wing-coverts brownish-red; the latter almost
uniform, without indication of mottling. Scapulars and
upper tertials coarsely blotched with black, and edged in-
ternally with brownish yellow, toj) of head reddish ; the
lower part of neck, except anteriorly, streaked with white
and black. Primary quills unspotted brown, tail ash.
Female with the white markings of the head replaced by
brownish-yellow ; the black ones with brownish.
Young. — Head ashy, with a narrow post-ocular white
stripe, and the crown spotted with black; throat whitish.
Beneath pale dingy ash, with wkitish shaft streaks, and
without black bars or other markings. Above reddish or
olivaceous drab, the feathers with whitish shaft-streaks,
and a large black spot, mostly on upper web.
Chick. — Head dingy-buff ; an auricular dusky elongated
spot, and a vertical patch of chestnut-rufous, widening on
the occiput. Length, 10.00 ; wing, 4.70 ; tail, 2.85.
Hab. — Eastern United States to the High Central Plain,
Devil's Eiver, Texas. — Baird, Brewer and Ridgivay.
partkidue; qiau. ; bob-white.
HABITS. 59
HABITS.
jHIS beautiful game bird is well known by all sports-
men, and by most persons of our country. For in
summer the loud, clear, distinctive whistle of Boh-
White, is as well-known, and familiar an utterance
as proceeds from the fields. The geographical description
of this bird's habits, is as described in the "North Ameri-
can Birds, Baird, Brewer and Kidgway." They state, this
species, known in New England and in certain other parts
of the country as the Quail, and in the Middle and Southern
States as the Partridge, — either of which names belonging
to other and quite different birds, is inappropriate, — is found
throughout the Eastern portion of North America from
Florida to Maine, and from the Atlantic to Texas on the
South and to the Central Plains. Partially successful at-
tempts have been made to introduce it in Utah, and its
area promises to extend much farther than its original
limits. This species has also been acclimated in Jamaica,
and now abounds in all parts of that island. There they
are said by Mr. March to make no nest, but to lay on the
ground, in tufts of grass, roots, or under clumps of bushes
usually from twelve to twenty eggs. These are smaller
than with us. This species has also been introduced into
the island of St. Croix, and is now very common in almost
every part of it, being especially abundant in the grass
lands of the Southwestern part. This bird is probably
found in all the New England States, though its presence
in Maine is not certain ; and, if found there at all, is only
met with in the extreme Southwestern part. It is also
rare in Vermont and New Hampshire, and only found in
the Southern portions. It is not given by Mr. Boardman,
nor by Professor Yerrill. Farther West it has a more
60 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
Northern distribution, being found in Northern New York
and in Southern Canada. Mr. Mcllwraith gives it as resi-
dent in the neighborhood of Hamilton. In many parts of
Massachusetts the Quail has become a very rare bird, owing
to the ravages caused by sportsmen and the severity of
winters, heavy falls of snow being frequently particularly
fatal to them. In heavy falls of snow they frequently hud-
dle together on the ground, and allow themselves to be
buried in the drifts. If the snow is light, they can easily
extricate themselves and run over its surface in quest of
berries, and the seeds of shrubs ; but if the fall be followed
by a partial thaw, and a crust forms, the birds are made
prisoners within its impenetrable cover, and miserably
perish of hunger. In the severe winters of 1866 and 1867,
large numbers of Quail thus perished throughout all parts
of Massachusetts. "When the snow melted, they were
found, in numerous instances, crowded close togther, and
embedded in the frozen drifts. Unlike most birds they
never collect in large flocks, but usually move in small
family groups, varying in numbers from ten to thirty, but
too often reduced to a mere remnant by the inroads of the
sportsman. These birds are often found in grounds more
or less open, preferring those in which there is abundance
of low trees and clusters of shrubs in which they can shel-
ter themselves. The Quail is esteemed a great delicacy as
an article of food, and is sought for the market by means
of traps, nets and various kinds of snares, and by sports-
men with the gun and dogs. It is naturally unsuspicious,
is easily approached, and in the thickly settled parts of
the country its ranks are already greatly thinned. It is
gradually disappearing from New England, and is now
very rare in large tracts where it was once quite abundant.
In some localities they have only been retained by the im-
portation of others from a distance. They are of gentle
disposition, are apparently much attached to each other
both in the conjugal and in the parental relations, and
always keep closely together in the small flocks associating
HABITS. 61
together. In the fall the old birds remain with their off-
spring of the season, and direct the movements of their
family. They always keep close together, by day as well
as by night.
62
FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
PAIEING AND NESTI:N'G.
tCAECELY have the winter months passed, the snow
disappeared from the ground, and early in spring,
^ when the returning sun begins to arouse the different
-^ tribes from their winter homes, and when the Wil-
son snipe is on the meadows, this is the season of the ye&r
when the Partridges begin their courtship. With us in
Maryland, the Partridges commence mating in the month
of March or April, or even earlier, or later according to
the season. After mating they separate in pairs, and
should the weather change, and become rough and cold or
snow fall, after being separated in pairs, it is not unusual
for them to reassemble into coveys again. In separating
in pairs there are frequently more females than males, and
more frequently more males than females. When there
are more males than females, it detracts much from their
production, as the overplus of males not being provided
for, will single out a female, and will run, and so harass
her, will not give her an opportunity to build a nest, and
she will drop her eggs indiscriminately from place to place,
no two together. Should there be more females than
males, it does not detract so much from their production,
for sometimes a single male will associate with more than
one female, and on doing so, their joint products will be
laid in the same nest or in one close by.
Mr. William Jacobs, living in the Linganore hills, who
is a man of fair veracity, informed me that he found one
of these nests, near his home. The nests were on the side
of a hill, in open ground, under some dewberry vines, the
two hens were setting about two feet apart, one upon fif-
teen, and the other seventeen eggs, making in all thirty-
two eggs. He visited the nests regularly every day until
PAIRING AND NESTING. 63
»■
the eggs were hatched. When the females departed with
their young brood they left but one egg unhatched. The
Partridges build their nests in the month of May. The
nest is always constructed on the ground, frequently at
the foot of a stump, or by a thick tuft of grass, or bush,
often in the corners of a worm fence which is grown up
with grass, weeds, or briars, and frequently in the open
fields, as wheat, clover or timothy. The nest is very sim-
ply constructed, it is slightly sunk below the surface of the
ground. The materials consist of dry leaves and grass, or
stubble and straw, and are so arranged as to form a cover
with an opening at the side for an entrance, but they are
as often open above, as covered. The female lays from
twelve to twenty-four eggs, of a pure brilliant white color,
sharply pointed at one end, and obtusely rounded at the
other, and is assisted by the male in hatching them. The
period of incubation I do not exactly know, but it is said
to be about twenty -three days. When the eggs are placed
under the domestic hen, it is said to take four weeks to
hatch them. During the period of incubation, and when
the female is laying, the male may be' heard, a short dis-
tance off, standing on the fence, stump, log, or the low
limb of a tree, keeping his paramour company, by repeat-
ing at intervals his well-known and familiar love notes,
Bob- White. The young leave the nest as soon as they
are freed from the shell, and are led around in search of
food by the female, and are nestled under her wing in the
same manner as a brood of young chickens. Should the
little brood be come upon and surprised by an enemy, or a
huntsman, or a dog, the greatest alarm and consternation
tali e place. The female places herself in the way, flutter-
ing along and dragging and beating the ground with her
wings, as if badly wounded, at the same time using every
artifice to decoy the intruder in pursuit of herself, crying
at the same time notes of safety, which are instinctively
understood by the young birds, who squat and hide among
the grass, and keep themselves close until all danger is
passed. The female after having succeeded in leading the
64 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
pursuer .a. short distance off, disappears in the cover by
running, or spreads her wings and flies from fifty to one
hundred yards and lights, and returns by a circuitous
route to the place she has just abandoned, and collects
around her the young brood, and leads them away to a
place of safety. This well known manoeuvre, which the
female resorts to for the safety of her young, is well under-
stood by all sportsmen of experience, but to the young and
inexperienced, or a dog, the decoy eight times in ten proves
successful. Their notes, when calling the young brood to-
gether, is a low twittering sound, very much like that of
young chickens. When a covey of full grown birds, and
those that are nearly so, are flushed and separated, their
call note to reassemble themselves together again, is very
different from the male's love notes in summer. Boh- White.
It is a clear, loud whistle, suggestive of fear, timidity and
anxiety, and is familiar and well understood by all sports-
men, as this whistle is often imitated by the sportsmen to
draw a response, and the birds from their hiding places.
The Partridges, with care, pains and attention, may be
easily raised in confinement, and may be induced to propa-
gate and may be trained into a condition of partial domes-
tication. Baird, Brewer and Eidgway state that Eev. Dr.
Bachman, of Charleston, S. C, succeeded in obtaining, by
hatching under a Bantam Hen, a brood of young Quails.
Confining them with their foster mother for a few days,
they were soon taught to follow her like young chickens.
They were fed at first on curds, but soon began to eat
cracked Indian corn and millet. They were permitted to
stray at large in the garden, one wing of each having been
shortened. They became very gentle, and were in the
habit of following Dr. Bachman through his house, seating
themselves on the table at which he was writing, occasion-
ally in play, picking at his hands, or running oft' with his
pen. At night they nestled in a coop in the garden. Al-
though these pets had no opportunity of hearing any other
sounds than those of the poultry, the male birds commenc-
ed in the spring their not unmusical note of Bob- White, at
PAIRING AND NESTING. ' 65
first low but increasing in loudness until they were heard
through the whole neighborhood. Their notes were pre-
cisely like those of the wild birds. As the spring advanced
the males became very pugnacious, and continued contests
took place among themselves, as well as with the pigeons
and the poultry that intruded on their premises. Their
eggs were placed under a hen and hatched out. The ex-
periment went no further, but was quite sufficient to de-
monstrate the possibility of their domestication.
Baird, Brewer and Kidgway further add, that Wilson re-
lates that in one instance a female of this species set upon
and hatched out the eggs of the common hen. For sev-
eral weeks after, his informant occasionally surprised her
in various parts of the plantation with her brood of chick-
ens, on which occasion she exhibited every indication of
distress and alarm ; and practiced her usual manoeuvres
for their preservation. She continued to lead them about
until they were larger than herself, and their manners had
all the shyness, timidity, and alarm of young Quails.
66 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
FIEST AND SECOND BEOOD.
||ji||HE natural habit of the Partridges when undisturbed
g||M is to have two broods of young in a season. If the
" Spring is early and favorable, they have the first
brood in the latter part of June, if otherwise, in
July. The second brood they have usually in August, or
September, but it depends upon the season. The first brood,
when about one-third grown, is taken charge of by the
male, who is a very watchful and attentive guardian.
When there are two broods in a season, the second brood
unites with the first, and, if undisturbed, they will keep to-
gether under the guidance of their parents through win-
ter until spring. In Maryland, and I may say in the Mid-
dle and Northern States, especially in the thickly settled
and highly cultivated portions, the Partridges more fre-
quently have one than two broods a season. This can be
accounted for. The warm weather in Maryland, and in
the Middle and Northern States, except in some instances,
is hardly long enough to allow the females sufiicient time
to lay, and hatch their eggs, and have two broods in a sea-
son, before cold weather sets in, and, in the thickly settled
and highly cultivated portions, the nest and eggs are con-
stantly being trespassed upon and destroyed. So much so,
that the females in many instances are set back late in the
season with their first broods, and as far as I am aware,
when these occurrences take place, the females content
themselves usually with having only one brood in the sea-
son. The young broods the sportsmen find in October and
November too small to shoot are more frequently the first
and only broods that have been hatched in the season,
than they are the second broods of the season, unless there
FIRST AND SECOND BROOD. 67
are two sizes of birds found in the covies. When this is the
case, I will say ni^e times out of ten, then you can be sure
that the smaller sizes are the second broods that have been
hatched by the females in the season.
68 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
EOOSTmG.
wjB|HE Partridges always roost on the ground. Their
Slg favorite roosting places are the stubble fields and
^^^ swamps where the ground is low, and the tall grass
W^ and rag-weed most plentiful. They roost on the out-
skirts of thicket and wood, in grass patches and in clear-
ings, sheltered in the like manner, but as often on high
ground sparingly covered as otherwise. When roosting
they arrange themselves in a circle with their bodies closely
pressed against each other, their tails forming the interior
of the circle, their heads the exterior. In arranging them-
selves in this manner, it adds greatly to their comfort in
extreme winter, also to 'their safety, as they present an
outlook on every side against their enemies, and if they
are disturbed in the night they can all fly straight off with-
out interfering with each other. When undisturbed and
the weather proves favorable, they frequently resort to
the same spot, or close by to roost, for a number of nights.
When going to roost it is not uncommon for them about
dusk to take a short flight to an adjoining field, swamp,
clearing, or the like, and settle down and roost immedi-
ately about the spot where they strike the ground. This
adds greatly to their protection during the night, for they
leave no trail behind, as they would when going on foot,
for their enemies to follow or scent them to their roost-
ing places. When the day is fine and clear they leave
their roost at a very early hour; if rough and cold they
frequently remain on their roosting places until the day is
farther advanced. When leaving their roost in the morn-
ing, the whole covey travels ofl' in search of food, or takes
a short flight to some regular feeding ground.
FOOD OF THE PARTRIDGES. 69
FOOD OF THE PAETKIDGES.
^H|aETEIDGES are chiefly granivorous, but they also
fUS ^^^^ ^^ berries, buds, and insects. Their principal
' ' " food in autumn and winter is wheat, corn, buck-
wheat, berries, and seed. Their favorite food is corn
and buckwheat. They prefer it to any other kinds of grain,
but during the shooting season they are more frequently
found in fewamps, thickets, clearings, and in second growth
wood skirts, briar patches bordering wheat stubble and
corn fields, and in wheat stubble, more than they are in
com and buckwheat fields. This is owing in a great mea-
sure to the want of sufficient cover, more than to the pref-
erence for the food found there. They feed on different
species of berries, gum, sassafras, poke, wild cherries and
the like, and are very fond of black haws, and wild chicken
grapes, and eat ants, grasshoppers, and other insects. In
extreme winter and in spring, when the ground is cover-
ed with snow, and food is scarce, when driven by neces-
sity more than love, they feed on different species of seed,
plants, and buds, such as rag- weed seed, and then they are
said to partake of the tender buds and leaves of the marsh
laurel {Kalmia Glauca), which may be found in the low-
lands, and the mountain laurel (Kalmia Latifolia), which
shades and crowns, and in summer adorns with its beauti-
ful flowers our unshorn primitive, wooded hills, and moun-
tain sides, and possesses like properties as the other species.
This well known evergeen inhabits all sections of the Uni-
ted States. It is from three to ten feet in height — the
leaves are possessed of poisonous narcotic properties. They
are said to prove fatal to sheep and some other animals,
but are eaten with impunity by deer, goats, and partridges.
It is said that death has been occasioned by eating the
70 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
flesh of Partridges and Pheasants which have fed upon
them during winter. I cannot vouch for the correctness
of these statements; as far as 1 am concerned, I have
eaten hundreds of Partridges and Pheasants, and so far I
have never experienced any bad consequences after having
partaken of the flesh, though when I take into considera-
tion the respectability of those, some of whom are respect-
able and eminent physicians, who have particularized and
published in Medical Journals cases where it has proved
injurious and even fatal, I am more than inclined to be-
lieve there is some foundation for these charges. Baird,
Brewer and Eidgway state that in confinement they eat
beechnuts, acorns, and other kinds of nuts, if broken for
them. In villages where they are not molested, they be-
come very tame, freely approach the barn-yards to feed
with the poultry, and will even come at the call of their
friends and pick up food thrown to them. This is espe-
cially noticeable in Florida, where the representatives of
the small race of the species found there are very numer-
ous and remarkably confiding.
FOES OF THE PARTRIDGES. 71
FOES OF THE PAETEIDGES.
|HE Partridges, like the Pheasants, have numerous
foes to contend with, and are destroyed in various
ways, independent of man. To enumerate the foes
which destroy them, I shall begin with the snake,
which crawls and creeps by day and night, through field',
wood, and brake, and is ever ready to spring upon its
prey. This reptile destroys numbers of young birds be-
fore they can fly. The little sparrow hawk is a foe of the
Partridges, and is a very active bird by day. It sits perch-
ed upon a fence stake, or upon a dead tree top, and there
watches, and, if any young birds cross its pathway it will
pounce upon them with great quickness. This little hawk
only destroys the birds when they are weak and quite
young. In the summer season, crows are bold, cunning,
and persistent plunderers of the nest of these birds. The
red and grey fox are destructive foes; they travel their
rounds by day and night through woods, fields, and brakes,
and with their acute sense of smell, sight, and hearing,
they can readily detect these birds, and, creeping within
springing distance, they leap upon them like a cat. These
cunning robbers destroy great numbers of these birds,
both young and old. Minks also make sad havoc among
both the old and young birds, in winter as well as in sum-
mer. These nimble roaming animals mostly prey upon
them in the night, and in travelling their run-ways, they
search every nook, hole, and corner in their beat, and from
their love of killing they destroy more than they can con-
sume. The little weasel is a very destructive foe, it puts
to death more than it can carry ofi*. This active wiry little
animal seizes its prey near the head, and the place where
its teeth enter is so small a wound that it can scarcely be
72 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
perceived. The raccoon has an acute sense of smell,
and a keen appetite for such food. It seldom passes a
roosting covey without leaping upon them. The Pole Cat
destroys large numbers of these birds, not only when
pressed for food in the winter season, but in summer when
the birds are young. The Chicken Hawk, Goshawk (Astur
atricapillus) is a great foe of the Partridges. Thi^ swift,
strong, bold hawk lurks around their haunts from early
morn until dewy eve, and it never hesitates to sweep down
and catch up a bird and make off with it almost in a
breath. When they are flushed by this bird they fly in
every direction, and make for thick cover, and will hide
themselves in brush piles, high grass, or the like, and then
they are hard to flush. Remember this, whenever you see a
Chicken Hawk lurking around particular fields, and sitting
about on certain trees in autumn or winter, you may then
be sure that there is a covey of birds not far off, for they
will haunt a covey of birds until every bird in the covey
is destroyed. Of all the foes of the Partridges, I shall
award the palm to the Pigeon Hawk, American Merlin,
{Falco columbarius), as the most destructive of all the
hawks. This quick flighted, bold and daring hawk, is but
a trifle larger than a Partridge, but it is bold, savage and
strong, and very swift and quick on the wing, and darts
upon its prey with the swiftness of an arrow. I have seen-
it pitch as it were from the clouds, and it would cut the
air when coming down after its prey, with the impetus and
speed of a rocket. The daring and boldness of this hawk
are remarkable. I have often shot Partridges flying in full
flight and they would be darted upon by this bird and car-
ried off, before they would reach the ground, and I have
often had the pleasure, when out Partridge shooting, of
stopping a Partridge with one barrel of my gun, and bring-
ing to the ground, this quick flighted assassin with the
other barrel, when it was in the act of carrying off the
bird that it had seized, and I had just killed. The great
horned owl (Bubo Virginianus), is a destructive foe. It
preys upon them in the night when they are sleeping.
FOES OP THE PARTRIDGES. 73
This monster owl glides with noiseless pinions, and sweeps
and skims over fields, wood and thicket, and with the eye
of faith, in the darkest nights, gobbles up its prey. Severe
winters, and heavy falls of snow, are particularly fatal to
the Partridge, especially if there is a heavy crust formed
on the snow, for they frequently perish in its impenetra-
ble cover, besides they are exposed to all their foes, and
they are frozen to death in whole coveys; and hundreds
of them perish from starvation, and many of them die
from the absence of water. Heavy rains, and floods, and
a long showery spell of weather in June or July is destruc-
tive to them. It spoils their eggs, and destroys many of
the quite young birds. Domestic animals do the same.
Mowing machines, wheat reapers, hay and grain rakes,
and a close cultivation of the soil, are engines of war that
wonderfully lessen the ranks of these native American
game birds.
10
74 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
FLIGHT OF THE PARTRIDGE.
jIIE Partridge is one of the swiftest birds on the
wing that exists. There are but few birds that I am
aware of that can excel them in rapidity of flight.
The Partridge, when springing from the ground, and
when on the wing, makes a loud whirring noise. This
sound is produced by the construction, and rapid motion
of the wings. On rising from the ground and going off,
the Partridge flies by a succession of quick flaps, until
they get under full headway; they then spread their
wings and sail with wonderful rapidity, on well balanced
pinions, usually lowering as they go until nearing the
ground, then sail in a straight direction, or turn to the
right, or to the left, and sweep around, where they break
their fall by a few more quick flaps of the wings. With
wonderful speed and command of wing, the American Par-
tridge will fly and dart through the most intricate, entan-
gled thicket, or brake, and even the silent leaves are often
made to tremble by the electric speed of the wings of this
passing bird, and it seldom makes a mistake, or gets en-
tangled through vines, boughs, or bushes, that often inter-
cept the flight of other birds. On being suddenly flushed
the Partridge rises from the ground into the air, with
great rapidity, and will rise from three to ten feet at its
first spring. As the season advances, the Partridge rises
wilder and swifter, on being disturbed, especially if their
alarm and fright be very great. Their slowest flight is in
the morning on first being found. Their swiftest and long-
est flights are made when flying with the wind, and fleeing
from fright and danger, after having been shot at. To kill
them flying at this rate of speed, you will have to bestir
yourself very swiftly, yet deliberately withal, and must
FLIGHT OF THE PARTRIDGE. 75
have a quick eye and ready finger, and you must handle
yourself and gun, and shape your movements very quickly
to cut them down. When they are flushed on a moun-
tain, or on a hill, they usually make longer flights than
they do when flushed on the level ground. Their flight is
considerably increased in velocity by a strong wind, and
nine times out of ten, they will fly with the wind, even
should they be flushed against the wind. When the wind
is blowing a gale, or a north-wester, to bring them down
your movements and actions must be very quick, and
keen, or they will not be stopped. The flight of Partridges
varies very much as regards distance, according to the
ground where they are flushed, the season of the year, and
the strength of the wind, and whether they have been
much disturbed or not. In the first of the shooting season,
when the birds are young, and have not been too much
shot at, their flight rarely exceeds more than three hun-
dred yards in distance, and many will come down inside of
half this distance. In thicket and swamp, where the cover
is dense, they seldom fly very far before they settle. In
open country where the cover is thin, and the ground
bare, they usually fly much farther on being flushed. On
rolling land, or on hills, they often make very long flights,
and if they once get in the habit of making long flights,
they are sure to repeat them on being much disturbed.
Late in the season I have often seen whole covies, when
they were wild from frequent flushing, take wing from the
side of a hill,, and fly entirely out of sight to an adjoining
hill, over the tops of the highest trees, and I have often
had a quarter of a mile, or more, to walk, before reaching
them again. When Partridges rise of their own free will,
the whole covey flies in the same course. When flushed
by a sportsman they invariabl}^ seek safety by separating.
When flushed in the open fields they usually fly for thick
cover, in swamps, woods, thickets, and the like, and if you
are standing between them and the cover, when they are
flushed, they are just as likely to fly to the right, or to the
left, or over your head, as they are to fly off in a straight
76 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
direction. And on following them into such places, and
springing them singly, or by twos, threes, fours or more,
and firing at them when they come to the end of the cover,
if you flush them there, they then are more likely to wheel
and fly over your head, and go back into the cover again,
than they are to go out into the open, unless there is an
adjoining cover close by. And I am not aware of any
ehots that are more awkward to kill, than these, when
they are disposed to fly in this wa}^, especially when you
are in thick second growth timber, and hugging a steep
hill or mountain side, where you can scarcely stand or walk,
except by using one hand and holding on to branches.
MIGRATION — WANDERING BIRDS. 77
MIGRATION— WANDEEING BIRDS.
jARTRIDGES do not migrate, but similar to the
Pheasant (Bonasa umhellus) on the approach of
^^^ winter, many of them shift their quarters to thicker
^ cover. The distance is not extensive, nor general;
they rarely move, of their own free will, to any great ex-
tent from where they have been hatched, not even in quest
of food, nor from the severity of the winter season. Al-
though they do not migrate, many of them, at the com-
mencement of autumn, are driven for miles from their for-
mer haunts, and from where they have been hatched, in
various ways and from various causes. Some of the prin-
cipal causes which drive them off, are ploughing up fields,
where they have been hatched, and in cutting the corn off
of fields where they have been in the habit of roaming,
and were protecting themselves in its cover. When these
changes take place, which they do regularly every autumn,
many of them are compelled to travel off in search of new
ground to find cover; and they often travel from one field
to another, and are driven in this way for miles, from
where they have been hatched, and reared. And in wan-
dering around on strange grounds, they frequently become
lost and bewildered, and often times they do not know
what course to pursue, or where to go. These are the
birds that we usually hear of in autumn, being scattered
in the towns and villages of our country. When these
birds are moving, some persons call it their running season,
others calling them travelling birds. When they are mov-
ing they will not always lie for a dog to point them ; they
usually fly and alight, and commence running again before
the dog gets up to them. Whenever you are sure that
your dog is trailing a moving covey of wild and running
78 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
birds, make him go slowly; if you do not, he will be almost
sure to flush them wild, and they will get up too far in
advance to get any kind of a shot at them, and should
they fly, it will then be a toss up whether you will And
them again inside of an hour, or find them at all. When
the dog is on the trail, if he attempts to run, or go fast,
check him, and make him go slow, and follow him up
close, and make as little noise when following as possible.
When the birds come to long grass, brushwood, thicket, or
swamp, there are nine chances out of ten, that then here
they will stop and settle, and when the dog gets up to
them and points, if he is broken properly, as he should be,
so that he will obey the command, all you have to do, is to
hie him in, and flush the birds and scatter them; then they
will lie for the dog to point them; and if the dog goes in
at the command with a rush, as he should go, this will
scatter the covey, and they will fly in all directions; and
when they get up fire at them, and take your chances on
using them up, in marking them down, and in following
after them, as soon as the gun is recharged. In this way
I. have often broken up many covies that were wild and
running, and have had good sport with them. When the
snow covers the ground, and a crust is formed on the top
of it, I have seen covies act much in the same manner.
The snow covers up their hiding places, and changes the
appearance of their haunts, and they get confounded, and
do not know where to go. They, however, all keep to-
gether, and run over its surface, and are generally very
wild, and they will but seldom allow a dog to get close
enough to point them, but will fly and alight, and com-
mence running again, before the dog gets up to them.
Whenever you come across covies on the snow, that are
disposed to act in this way, the only plan to pursue, to be
successful, is to call the dog in, and keep him behind you,
and follow them up. On coming up to the covey, if they
rise, fire into it, and scatter the birds. If they fly to a hill
or mountain side with a southern exposure, where the
snow is soft, or to a broken hillside where there are pro-
MIGRATION — WANDERING BIRDS. 79
jecting rocks, where the ground is bare, or to the edge of
a streamlet bank, where there are patches of bare ground, .
then you may follow them up, and you may have pretty
good sport with them, because here, ten to one, they will lie
for the dog to point them ; but should they fly and alight
where the snow is hard, it is only time lost to follow after
them to have sport, and you may as well credit yourself
with an endless tramping, and give them up.
80 ' HAUNTS AND HABITS OF PARTRIDGES AND WHERE FOUND.
HAUNTS AND HABITS OF PARTEIDGES AND
WHERE FOUND.
tHE knowledge one sportsman possesses ^ over ano-
ther, of the haunts and habits of Partridges, is
-^ very often the difference between one man's good
^ luck, in a day's hunt, over that of another, who hunts
in a hap-hazard way, without giving these matters atten-
tion. I shall give my knowledge of the haunts and habits
of Partridges, and the best places where to find these
birds. In dry, fair weather. Partridges are found feeding
most generally in wheat stubbles and cornfields, from sun-
rise until about ten or eleven o'clock in the morning. From
about ten or eleven o'clock in the morning, until about
three in the afternoon, they most frequently resort to the
sides of fields in clumps of bushes, or in jDatches of wood,
or along the sides of creeks that are grown up with bushes,
where they go to drink, and pick up gravel, and where they
often spend some time in picking, scratching, and dusting
themselves. About three o'clock in the afternoon they
commence to run, and feed again, and usually return back
to the wheat stubbles, and cornfields, where they remain
until sunset, when they go to some favorite spot to roost.
They do not always roost in the same fields they feed in;
they frequently take a short flight to an adjoining field or
swamp, and there settle and huddle together, and remain
in this position until morning. They rarely ever run after
they alight, which makes them more secure from their
foes, as they leave no trail behind by which they might be
followed to their roosting places, and detected. On wet
and foggy days, they can most frequently be found in the
woods, and in thin open cover, and on high ground, and
in the dryest places. In cold, windy weather, they can be
HAUNTS AND HABITS OF PARTRIDGES AND WHERE FOUND. 81
found most frequently in thick cover, where they can pro-
tect themselves from the cold and wind, and where they
are exposed to the sun, as in second growth wood, along
hill sides that are exposed to the south, where there are
patches of grass in hollows where the rag-weed is rank and
thick, and along the edges of wood, thicket, and swamp,
where there are j^mtches of weeds, grass, and briars. In
het, dry weather they most frequently resort to low ground,
along swamjDS, creeks and ditches, in moist and cool places.
When the day is wet and cold they remain on their roost
until late in the morning. If pleasant and fair they leave
their roosting places, and are on the move at a very early
hour. If snow should fall they remain on their roosting
places until the day is far advanced, and are often covered
up by a deep fall. When the snow is very deep and drift-
ed, they shelter and protect themselves along the sides of
hills that are grown up with wood, and are exposed to the
south, and along the streams and creek banks, where
there are always more or less patches of bare ground, and
where the snow soon melts. In other localities they resort
to swamps, thickets, clearings, brushwood, thick sedge
grass cover, and in the corners of the worm fences that
are grown up with weeds and briars, and here they often
remain closely huddled together, in their snowy prisons,
sometimes for days.
11
82 PRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
WITHHOLDIISTG SCENT.
tHERE are many sportsmen who believe that the
American Partridge has the power of withholding
^^-p its scent, on being hotly pursued by its enemies, be-
^ cause the very best of dogs, at times, cannot discover
Partridges, even after they have been accurately marked
down in places where they have been seen to settle. Yery
often on flushing a covey of Partridges, they fly off all well
together, and after having been accurately marked down,
and the full covey amounting perhaps to fifteen or twenty
birds, have been seen to settle at a particular place, it fre-
quently happens that not more than two-thirds of the
birds in the covey can be flushed up again, at the place
where they have been seen to settle, and the dogs fail to
find and point them, even after having been closely hunted
about the spot. This is a great mystery to many sportsmen,
why all the birds in the covey cannot be found at the place
where they alighted ; and many a good dog has been un-
justly lashed for not finding the birds under these circum-
stances. Some sportsmen account for it by supposing the
birds are still at the spot where they alighted, in a state of
quietude, withholding their scent from the dog, which pre-
vents the dog from finding them. Other sportsmen ac-
count for it by supposing the birds are still at the place
where they alighted, but being frightened, terror checks
the secretions which are usually emitted by the bird, and
which renders the dog unable to scent them. I believe nei-
ther; my observation and experience have taught me to look
upon the cause, and account for it, in an entirely difi'erent
way. I unhesitatingly say, that I do not believe the Ameri-
can Partridge possesses the power of retaining its scent from
the dog, nor do I believe excessive terror checks the efilu-
WITHHOLDING SCENT. 83
vium that is given out by the bird, which enables the dog
to find and point them. There are various causes why
the very best of dogs at times cannot find and point Par-
tridges, even after they have been accurately marked
down, and have been seen to settle themselves at a partic-
ular spot.
A Partridge, as a general rule, when it strikes the ground,
does not set quietly at the identical spot where it strikes
the ground, biit at the instant of its fall it walks or runs
oif a short distance, and hides and secretes itself so that
you cannot find it. The distance it runs from the spot,
where it strikes the ground and hides, as a general thing
is not more than a few feet, but it frequently occurs, that
they run off a long distance from the spot where they
alight and hide and entirely escape pursuit. It frequently
happens also outside of the general rule that a Partridge,
on striking the ground, will set perfectly quiet at the very
identical spot where it strikes the ground, and will not stir
a peg, nor move a muscle, and on doing so, in high thick-
matted grass, it often occurs there is no scent by which
the dog can find it, except at the very identical spot it
strikes the ground ; and the dog is not likely to find it, be-
cause the scent is not dispersed sufficiently around the spot
for the dog to detect it. Not that the bird is withholding
its scent from the dog, and thus preventing the dog from
finding it, but because the scent is confined, and covered
up at a particular spot, and does not rise and diffuse itself
around sufficiently to enable the dog to detect it. I have
often observed on getting these birds up again, that when
they would fly off, and settle in open cover, and at the mo-
ment of their fall would walk or run a few feet or so, and
then hide, that immediately on coming up to the spot the
dog would come down, and point them most beautifully.
I have often observed on the snow, that when a Partridge
alights, and runs a few feet or so, and hides under the
snow, the dog is not apt to miss it, but if it pitches straight
down like a stone into the snow, and remains perfectly
quiet at the spot where it strikes, and is covered up by
84 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
the snow, there is no scent around that spot, and the dog
is not apt to find it. It frequently happens on flushing a
covey of Partridges, amounting perhaps to fifteen or
twenty birds, that after they have been accurately marked
down, and the full covey has been seen to settle at a par-
ticular place, on flushing the covey up again, not more
than two-thirds of the birds in the covey can be flushed
up at the place where they have been seen to settle, and
the dogs fail to find them, even after having been closely
hunted about the spot. Why all the birds in the full covey
cannot be flushed up again is easily accounted for. Do
not suppose that the birds all set quietly at the spot where
they alight; if 3^ou do, you will be often mistaken. Some-
times they may, sometimes they may not. Do not sup-
pose the birds are withholding the scent from the dog; if
you do, you will be disappointed, for the American Par-
tridge does not possess that power. The reason why every
bird in the covey cannot be flushed is because they are
not all there to flush. Some have left. It frequently hap-
pens when a covey of Partridges settles, every bird in the
covey at the moment of striking the ground will remain
quiet within a few feet of the spot where they alight, but
this is not always the case, and do not suppose so, for I
assure you it often happens that part of the birds in the
covey run like race horses, directly their feet strike the
ground, and in this way they oftentimes entirely escape
pursuit, and when part of the covey does so, on coming up
to the place where you have seen the full covey settle, the
dogs will generally come to a stand and point those birds
that remain around the spot where they alighted, and on
getting these birds up, the dog's attention is fixed upon the
birds that rise up, and is drawn immediately around the
spot where they spring from, and is entirely withdrawn
from the trail of that part of the cove}" that took to their
heels and ran as soon as their feet touched the ground, and
the stronger scent from the feet of so many birds that have
just arisen will transcend that of the few birds that have
run off, and will bewilder the dogs, and the few birds that
WITHHOLDING SCENT. 85
ran off will not be found, and will escape pursuit. But by
coming up to the place, in the course of an hour or so, some
of these birds may be flushed at the identical place where
they took to their heels and from which they escaped, as
they frequently return back to the place after the lapse of
an hour or so to get together again, and on going up to the
place the dogs will soon find and point them. I will give
you a case in point. I recollect once while out Partridge
shooting in JFrederick county, Maryland, accompanied by
two companions, both of whom were excellent huntsmen,
and capital shots, we were in a large stubble field owned
by Daniel Kolb. Eunningattheedge of this field was a small
stream of water called Keller's branch, which runs into the
Monocacy Eiver. We were accompanied by three fine dogs
and as good hunters and finders, I think, as ever winded a
stubble. The first was a blood-red setter, called " Eover,"
which for sagacity and nose I never saw excelled The
second was snow white, except the left ear, which was gold
and yellow, a pointer called " Eake," which for staunchness
and trail I never saw surpassed. The third was a sky blue,
a cross, (half pointer and setter,) called "Ponto," which for
dash, range, wind, and speed, I have never before or since
seen equaled. The day was clear, and the air clean and
fresh ; the red setter, "Eover," came to a point, where the
ground rose slightly. The white pointer, " Eake," was busy
with his head down trailing at the time close by the red
setter, but on noticing him, the white dog Eake edged him-
self close up to the red setter, and came down flat just a
little in his rear. The blue dog "Ponto" we had lost sight
of at the moment, but on looking around we saw him stand-
ing on the bank of a small gully, from which he had just
emerged, and seeing the white and red dog on the brow
had back-pointed them. My two companions and myself
advanced up to the two dogs in good style, and with due
caution. Arriving at the spot, we were stationed as follows :
One of my companions on the left, the other on the right,
and myself occupying the centre. We advanced in front
of the dogs. One bird arose, and was cut down by my com-
86 ♦ FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
panion to the left. At the report of the gun, the covey
arose, and it was rigidly fired into by all three of us. My
companion to the left got in his shot in good style, and
bagged his second bird. My companion to the right got
both his first and second shots in beautifully, and bagged
two birds. I got my first shot in, and bagged one bird, but
the second shot I was balked in, by the bird being shot
away from me by one or the other of my companions, and
I fired my second shot at the balance of the covey of seven
birds a long distance off. At the report of my second bar-
rel I saw the feathers fly out of one bird among the seven,
and I knew one was hit, and I called upon my companion
to watch them and mark them down, at the same time do-
ing so myself The seven birds went on, and drojoped close
together in the same field, near a large locust stump, which
was some two hundred yards distant. After charging our
guns we followed them up. On arriving at the stump, my
two dogs, Ponto and Rate, stood almost simultaneously,
the third dog, Rover, back pointing a short distance off.
Close b}' the stump stood a small clump of pokeberry bushes.
Some of the branches were broken and hanging down; un-
der these branches the ground was perfectly bare, and from
there one bird sprang. I dropped it in a moment. The
dogs moved at the discharge of the gun, and three more
birds arose and flew in a scattered direction. One of my
companions dropped one of them, and the other got the
other two down. The dogs I dropped in a moment, fear-
ing they might move the remaining three birds yet un-
flushed. We reloaded and bagged the four birds, and then
hied on the dogs. They went up to and under the poke-
berry bushes, and nosed every inch of ground over and over
again where these birds sprang from, but not a feather coul(,I
they find. My companions and myself marked the seven
birds well and closely. Wondering what could be the mat-
ter, we made the dogs hunt very closely around the spot,
but not a bird could they find. We hunted the ground over
and over again, the dogs crossing and recrossing, checker-
ing it, but not a sign of a bird could they find. We eyed
WITHHOLDING SCENT. 87
every inch of ground under the poke bushes. We hunted
and kicked the stubbles around and around the spot, at
least one half an hour for the three remaining birds of the
seven which we marked settled at this particular spot, buj;
in vain, and finally left the grounds in disgust and despair.
We leisurely pursued our hunt through the field, and coming
up to Keller's branch we rested at a small spring and ate
our lunch, the dogs at the time at our heels. We spent two
hours along this branch, and while we were being amused
in dissecting a large turtle we had prized out of the mud
from its winter quarters, we heard the calling notes of two
Partridges, apparentl}' sounding as if they came from the
spot we had left two hours before. I asked my two com-
panions to go back with me to the small clump of poke
bushes again, which they both readily assented to. We
took the field, the blue dog Ponto leading the van. On
getting up to the poke bushes Ponto made a point. I
called to Eake and Rover, who were running wild, and
they turned their range, and backed him. Ponto com-
menced drawing a little, and the three were soon together
circling the clump of poke bushes. We now walked up.
As we came within three or four yards of the clump we
halted, the dogs were firm as a rock, and true as steel, and
under the poke bushes were throe Partridges close together,
on the bare ground. Two birds arose and were cut down,
the third bird remaining perfectly quiet at the spot, and
on going up to it, it proved to be dead, and on examining
it we found a shot had hit it in the back, and gone through
the skin, and ran around and passed through its breast,
it evidently being the bird I hit, and out of which the
feathers flew from my second shot at the seven birds when
the covey first sprang, and the three birds we found on re-
.turning to the poke bushes, after the lapse of two hours,
evidently were a part of the seven birds which we
marked settled at this particular spot. Why they were not
found on first going up to the poke bushes is easily ac-
counted for. Not by supposing the birds were still quietly
at the spot where the}^ alighted, withholding their scent
88 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
from the dogs, but because they were not there. They had
left. The hit bird and two of its companions, at the instant
of striking the ground, ran off and hid, and after the lapse
of two hours the}^ returned to the spot where they alighted
to get together again, and the three huddled, and the
wounded bird died, and, on coming up to the spot the second
time, the dogs soon found and pointed them.
I have never known pointers or setters to have the slight-
est diflSculty in finding or pointing crippled Partridges when
they had tumbled about, or ran on striking the ground. I
have seen pointers and setters find and point dead Part-
ridges fifteen minutes after the breath had left the body,
that is, when they had tumbled about or ran a few feet or
so before expiring. A Partridge, alighting in open cover,
and running a few feet or so, and settling and remaining at
the spot where it settled, will not be missed once in a thou-
sand times, if the day is clear, and the air clean and fresh,
and the dogs are good, provided you advance to the spot at
once, and search the ground close, and give the dogs ample
time.
LATE IN THE SEASON. 89
LATE IN THE SEASON.
ffi^HEEE is a vast difference between shooting Part-
SjM ridges during the first of the shooting season, and
^^ shooting Partridges when the season is far advanced.
^ At the first of the shooting season in October the
birds are young and tame, they have not the power of wing
and strength that they would have later in the season ; they
rise slowly, and offer a beautiful and easy mark to shoot at,
and if hit are easily brought down and killed. But late in
the season they become full grown and full feathered, and
are stronger on the wing, and are wild from frequent flush-
ing, and are suspicious of both man and dog, and oftentimes
they will not allow either to approach them close, but will
rise ten feet in the advance with startling suddenness, and
fly with great velocity, and pitch for cover as swift as bul-
lets. Then it is, arid it is at this season of the year that
the sportsman finds some difficulty in bringing them down
To kill them flying at this season of the year truly requires
an art, and the skill of the sportsman is fully tested. It is
at this season of the year that you see amateur sportsmen
and bad shots banging away their powder and shot without
filling their game-bags. The number of birds bagged by
amateur sportsmen and bad shots, at an advanced period of
the season, are very few, unless by chance they should rake
a covey huddled on the ground. The very best skill of the
sportsman is required when the season is far advanced, as
the birds then are extremely swift and wild, and often, with
skill and experience, the very best of sportsmen fails to bring
home a heavy bag. Late in the season always try and get
started and begin your shooting early in the morning, and
at sunset in the afternoon is late enough to continue it. It
makes birds very wild to shoot at later hours, besides being
12
90 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
a certain plan to make them change their haunts. Late in
the season, when birds are wild, be always on your guard,
and always ready to fire, and in shooting double shots be
quick in making your first shot. Killing double shots,
when birds are wild, requires quick action on the part of
the shooter, and is a test of good marksmanship. Late
in the season be always ready to take advantage of all
and every opportunity that oifers a chance to be hit. Use
your gun liberally, do not be afraid to miss if you wish
to fill your bag, and become a good shot. Many sports-
men wait for good opportunities, and as they are alwa^^s
few and far between, especially where birds are scarce, an
ordinary shooter by firing oftener, and at doubtful chan-
ces, will sometimes beat the better shot who makes a
too careful selection. The result of the day's shooting,
when all is equal, will always be in favor of the man who
shoots at all and every bird that offers a chance to be
killed. Late in the season, in the month of December,
when the birds have become strong and wild, every bird
is on the lookout on the approach of a sportsman, or his
dog. Then, according to my idea, the sport of shooting
Partridges is sport indeed, and a bag of birds bagged in
this month, being full grown, is worth almost two bags
bagged in the first of the shooting season in the month of
October. I have often killed a bag of birds along the
Monocacy and Potomac bottoms, in Maryland, in the
month of December, that would average eight ounces for
each bird.
HUNTING. 91
HUNTING.
JNLESS you understand thoroughly the art of search-
ing for game, you need not expect to make a heavy
bag. You should know something of the ways,
haunts, and habits of the game you are in pursuit of,
and their haunts, and habits on different days, according to
the state of the weather, and at different times in the day,
and you should be able to judge from your own knowledge
of their habits where to find them after they have been
once disturbed. When hunting certain classes of game you
should be quiet, and your tread should be as noiseless as
possible, especially when approaching close to the where-
abouts of the object of your search. Loud talking, whist-
ling for your dog, hallooing for your companion, treading
upon sticks and bushes, dragging the feet along the ground,
instead of raising them up, all have a tendency to frighten
the game, and are fatal to any attempts to approach close
to them. Young sportsmen should remember that silence,
when hunting for some varieties of game, is as essential for
the success of the sportsman as stealthiness and cunning-
are for the fox in pursuing his prey. Some sportsmen get
into the habit of talking aloud to their companions, others
are constantly bawling after their dogs. The successful
sportsman is watchful and silent, his tread is light and noise-
less, and there are times when he directs his companion by
the motion of the hand, or by a point of the finger, or by
a shake or nod of the head ; and the dog is directed in si-
lence, by the wave of the hand, or made to stop by squat-
ting, or by an angry shake of the head, or by an ugly look,
or by the click of the hammer, or by pointing the gun, and
other such quiet, noiseless signals.
92 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
HUNTING PAETEIDGES.
lip^HEN hunting Partridges always try and find your
mlM birds early in the morning. The birds are not apt
to fly as far as when the day is farther advanced, and
^^ you will be fresh and not fatigued, and you will be
able to kill more than if tired and worried, as you would be
late in the day after a long tramp. Always hunt your
grounds very closely, search them well, and do not be
in too much of a hurry to get over the ground. This is
a great mistake with many sportsmen. They run over
the ground too fast entirely. They do not hunt slow
enough, and they do not give the dog sufficient time to find
the birds. Partridges sometimes are huddled together, and
they lay very close, and they give out in this way but little
scent, and unless the dog runs close to them he will not find
them, and to walk hurriedlj^ over the ground does not give
the dog sufficient time to search the ground closely. And
if the birds are huddled together in long grass, or in some
grassy knoll, or hollow, in close cover, giving out but little
scent, the dog will not be apt to find them. But by going
over the ground slowly, and by giving the dog plenty of
time to search the grounds properly, the birds will most
generally be come upon by the dog, and perhaps be pointed
within twelve inches of his nose. A covey of birds some-
times, that lie very close in this way, is worth two or three
coveys that flushes wild. Whenever you flush up a covey
of Partridges^ especially when birds are scarce, do not be
too anxious to find another, but stick to them as long as
there is a chance left to get one up. "A bird in the hand
is worth two in the bush." And in the course of the day's
hunt to adhere to this rule will add to your success won-
derfully. The better you know the ground, in any particu-
HUNTING PARTRIDGES. 93
lar locality, the more it will be to your advantage, and the
better you will know how to arrange your hunt. When
the season is advanced, during the middle of the day, look
well to the sides of the meadows and grass lands, also the
old fallow fields, on coming across them, especiall}^ if there
is a stream of water running in the locality. These are
the places in which you may often find birds about midday,
and are thought by most sportsmen to be the most im-
probable places to find them, and they seldom pass through
them, but generally pass by without even letting the dog
range over them. Both sportsman and dog think these
places the most unlikely of all others for birds to frequent ;
whereas, sometimes, of all others, they are the most likely.
Partridges very often resort to the old fallow fields to pick,
scratch, and dust themselves, and to remain quiet for an
hour or two, as these fields, of all others, are the most quiet,
there being seldom any hands there to disturb them, and
instead of the sportsman passing around the old fallow
fields, scarcely giving them a glance, let him and his dog
hunt them as well as the stubble fields. On cold days
birds are often found in the meadows and grass lands, and,
on coming across them, you should always allow your dog
to range over them. Partridges, as a general thing, lie very
close in a meadow, or high grass land, and on finding them
you will have a good chance of filling your bag. They
seldom get up wild, but on the contrary lie very close and
often times will allow you to kick them up. This makes
beautiful sport, and I have often killed every bird in the
covey when found in such localities, though I have often
taken pity on them, and left part of the covey remain,
when I knew I had them at my mercy. Partridges that
are wild from frequent flushing are hard to kill, and they
must be marked down very accurately, and if they have
been much disturbed they make long flights and settle,
and hide sometimes in unaccountable places. After hav-
ing been flushed and shot at, and made very wild, they
fly sometimes and alight into very bare places. It is
not an uncommon occurrence for them to alight, when
94 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
very much frightened, in open roads, in ploughed fields, and
in open spaces entirely destitute of vegetation. When you
have them scattered be always on your guard, and always
ready to fire, for where you least expect to find them often-
times one may spring. Whenever you mark a Partridge
down, search for it, and always try and find it ; this will
give your dog confidence in you, and by pursuing this plan
you will get more birds in the end. When hunting Par-
tridges, if possible, always give the dog the benefit of the
wind, by walking the field up wind, or side wind. In wet
and foggy weather search your grounds well, or the birds
will not be found ; because the scent becomes partially de-
stroyed by water dropping on their trail. In hunting the
ground always prefer to hunt the sides of the fields in pre-
ference to the middle, especially if the fields are large.
Partridges are more apt to feed along the sides of fields
than they are in the middle, especially when the fields are
bounded by wood or thicket. Always flush the birds
yourself, and never allow your dog to do it, unless he is
properly broken, and mark the birds down, and follow im-
mediately on after them, as soon as the gun is recharged.
During the first of the season, when the weather is warm,
always arrange your hunt so as to be near water, for the
benefit of your dog. A dog suffers terribly on a warm day
from running, especially a long haired setter, and, if in a
country where there is a scarcity of water, the dog will
become worried, fatigued, and heated, and will give out,
and will be worth to you scarcely anything. But if water
is near so that he can quench his thirst, and run into it
and cool himself, he will hunt vigorously through the whole
day. Never abandon a wounded bird which you have once
marked down, until after the most diligent search. Hunt
the dog closely about the spot, kick the high tufts of grass,
and part with your foot the matted clumps, and kick
the brushwood, and jump on the brush piles, if there be
any, and, by a little searching and patience, you will often
get many wounded and broken winged birds, which your
companions, by being in too much of a hurry, would miss.
HUNTING PARTRIDGES. 95
It is by such manoeuvres as these that the old sportsman
fills his game bag. The oftener a Partridge is flushed, the
less will be your chance of bagging it, unless accurately
marked down, because it becomes more and more fright-
ened, and takes longer flights than when first flushed, and
hides in more out of the way places. An exception to this
rule is that of the Pheasant (Bonesa umbellus), which, by
being flushed several times in succession, loses its courage,
and becomes less capable to elude its pursuers. To mark
Partridges down accurately it requires experience, and a
practiced eye. Without possessing these qualities you will
be invariably mistaken, A good rule for marking a Part-
ridge down is to watch the bird very narrowly in its line of
flight, and when you lose sight of it in the distance, or in
the covert, keep your eye on its line of flight, and far in
the advance. Very often when coming down it will show
itself by a flap of its wings, or in some other way long
after you have lost sight of it. But as a rule never believe
a Partridge to be down, no matter how low you may have
seen it flying over a particular point or knoll, or how low
you may have seen it sail, and scud close to the ground,
for if you have seen a flap of its wings while scudding low
at a particular spot, be not sure it is down, but when you
see it hit the cover it is down then, you can be sure. When
the weather is fair and dry hunt until about ten or eleven
o'clock in the morning the wheat stubbles and corn fields.
From ten or eleven o'clock in the morning, until about
three o'clock in the afternoon, hunt out the thickets, and
clumps of bushes and wood, and look well to the edges of
clearings, swamps, and brakes, and to. the bushy sides of
fence rows, ditches, and creek banks. In the afternoon,
from about three o'clock until sunset, should the weather
prove fair and dry, return again to the wheat stubbles and
corn fields until dark ; it will be here you will make your
best bag. On wet and foggy days, instead of hunting
where the ground lies the lowest in marshes and in
swamps, and in thick cover, tiring yourself and dog, go in
thin open cover, where the ground lies the highest, and
96 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
hunt out the wood patches, and the driest places you can
find on high ground. In cold and windy weather, instead
of hunting the bleak high ground, in thin open cover, go
in thick cover, in swamps, briars, and grass patches, and
in warm southern exposed hillsides, and in hollows where
the rag-weed stands the highest. It will be here you will
meet with the best success. In dry, hot weather, cease
hunting the dry open wheat stubbles, tiring your dog and
exhausting yourself, but go where the ground lies the low-
est — in swamps, marshes, and along 'creeks and ditches
which are grown up with weeds, grass and bushes, in moist
and cool places. If the ground is covered with snow
abandon entirely the open fields,'and go into woods, thick-
ets, swamps, clearings, second growth wood and briary
wood skirts, and hunt out the briar patches and high
weeds and brush piles, in the corners of the fields and worm
fences, and look well to creek banks where there are
patches of bare ground, and southernly grown up hill sides,
and thick sedge grass cover; here you will stand the best
ohance of finding your game.
FIRING INTO COVIES. 97
FIEING INTO COYIES.
GREAT many sportsmen when firing into a covey
of Partridges on the wing fail to hit. They bang
away in a hurry into the whirring crowd expecting
to kill about a dozen, more or less, and become aston.
ished when they see the whole covey fly away untouched,
notwithstanding both barrels have been fired into it. The
reason they fail to hit is easily accounted for, they fire too
much in a hurry, and too soon, and without any aim, and
of course they fail to hit. The shot does not have time and
distance enough to scatter properly, and they cover so small
a space in their flight, and without being particularly direc-
ted, the chances are three to one they will pass through the
whirring crowd without hitting any. As a rule never fire
into a "covey of Partridges on the wing unless you have aim
on one particular bird of the covey; on it draw the trig-
ger. Without selecting one particular bird in the covey to
fire at the chances are three to one against killing any
out of a covey of twelve or fiteen birds, unless they should
happen to rise up in a mass, which is but seldom. When
you flush up a covey of Partridges, keep yourself cool and
calm, pitch the gun quickly to your shoulder, and single
out one particular bird of the covey, on it draw the trigger,
then on another, and be sure not to draw the trigger upon
either of them unless your aim is perfect, then fire. When
a covey of Partridges rises in front of you be quick in mak-
ing your first shot, kill the first bird that rises, or one of
the first, you will then have time to choose the second shot.
When you have selected the first bird as the object of your
aim you should keep your eye upon it though twenty others
should rise up in front, and cross you. Do not let your
attention be drawn from the bird you have selected until
13
98 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
you draw the trigger, and at the instant you draw the
trigger of the first barrel, and the bird falls to the first fire,
fix your eye on another bird, one that is last up, and, with
the same deliberation and calmness on it, draw. This is
the only way to kill two birds out of a covey, on the wing,
with certainty.
SCATTERING A COVEY. 99
SCATTERING A COYEY.
to know how to scatter a covey of Partridges, to make
a good bag, where game is scarce, is known by few
^^^ sportsmen. One of the secrets of success is to flush
W^ the birds up and mark them all down carefully, and
then flush them up singly. The way a covey may be flushed
to make a good bag is this : When the dog points do not
walk around in front of him, if you do the birds lying
between you and your dog, when they rise, will fly, some
in one direction and some in another, and almost every bird
in the covey will take a difterent route, especially if the
birds are wild, and it would be impossible for you to mark
them all down on account of their being too widely separa-
ted ; but on the contrary advance directly behind the dog,
and flush the birds. In this way, when a covey is flushed,
the birds will most always rise and fly off all in one direction.
Then you can mark them all down, and you can follow on
after them as soon as the gun is recharged. Now, having
succeeded in flushing the covey up, and driving the birds all
in one direction, and in marking them all down, keep your
dog behind you, and advance with a slow and cautious step
to the spot where you saw them settle. Now be careful,
and keep cool, command your nerves, and take good aim.
Walk up one bird, fire at it ; if you miss it watch it and mark
it down; if you kill it let it lie at present, don't speak a word,
or move a step, keep 3'Our dog still, and charge your gun
with all possible haste, as another shot will almost imme-
diately follow; as one or two of the covey will rise, down
with them, and load as quickly as before; advance slowly and
cautiously, step by step, and bag your game. Be on the
alert for a shot, right, straight, or left, and so, one by one,
get the whole covey up at intervals, and those that get
100 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
away mark them carefully down, they will fly but a short
distance, and you will have them presently. After having
flushed up all the birds in the covey let your dog out, and
hunt up those that have escaped. Advance to the spot
where you have seen them alight, hunt the dog close around
the spot; he will soon find them, then flush them up singly,
take good aim, and shoot them down. If you should hap-
pen to miss one or two, mark them down carefully, and
follow on after them as before. In this manner I have
killed every bird in the covey. If a covey is scattered, late
in the season, the birds generally lie some hours in their
hiding places, but the}^ will not lie long the first of the season,
and in wet weather they lie only for a short time, and will
commence running after they have set but a few minutes.
When scattered in the middle of the day they lie longer
than any other time, especially if they have chosen long
grass for their hiding place. If a covey is scattered early
in the morning the birds will be apt to reassemble in a short
time ; but if scattered late in the evening they will assur-
edly reassemble in a short time, unless the birds have been
separated very widely, and driven a long distance off; they
will then not reassemble until the next day. A great deal,
however, depends upon the weather and the cover, and
whether the birds are wild or tame. It is always prudent
to follow a covey directly it is flushed up. Some covies
run the moment they strike cover, and thus may be lost
altogether. They run very swiftly when frightened, and
after the lapse of a half hour they may be a half mile from
where they alighted.
WOUNDED GAME. 101^
WOUNDED GAME.
JT is important for the success of the sportsman to have
perfect knowledge of the nature and habits of wounded
game. All game, when wounded, makes the utmost use
of their cunning and strategy in order to evade being
captured, and unless the sportsman understands perfectly
the nature and habits of wounded game, and their devices
to evade being captured, many will be lost.
HOW TO BAG WOUNDED PAETEIDGES.
All wounded Partridges should be watched and marked
down very accurately at the precise spot where they fall.
Dead Partridges require equally as careful marking, be-
cause they give out but little scent, and the dog oftentimes
will not find them. There are three chances out of four
that a Partridge with a wing broken, falling into high
standing corn, or into' a matted swamp, high rank weeds,
or long tangled grass, will not be bagged without the
assistance of a good dog to trail and scent it up, and find
it. I have often seen a broken-winged Partridge run di-
rectly it hit the ground, and in a few moments it
would be a hundred yards from where it fell. When
Partridges are knocked down, and fall in long grass
or thick cover, the eye should be kept on the spot where
they fall. Mark the spot by a long or short tuft of grass,
or a particular weed or bush, and, if there is no particular
object to notice, advance to the spot where you saw the bird
fall, and mark the spot by laying your gun, hat, or hand
102 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
kerchief on the ground, call your dog in, make him hunt
close around the spot, "cry dead bird," walk first here, then
there, and diligently search around and about the spot for
it until it is bagged. By pursuing this plan you will bag
many wounded and dead birds that j^our comrade and dogs,
by being in too much of a hurry to give them up, would
miss. All wounded Partridges should be followed up im-
mediately or they will not be found. After they die they
give out but little scent, and the dog is not apt to find them.
If a Partridge jerks at the moment of being fired at you
can be sure of the bird being hit, and you should watch it
in its flight, and mark it down very accurately, and it should
be searched for until found. If a Partridge flies off* with
its legs hanging down, and pitches to and fro immediately
after being fired at, you can be sure the bird is hit in the
back and mortally wounded. It should be watched very
narrowly in its line of flight, and the spot where it falls
should be marked to a foot, and it should be followed up
without delay, as you will generally find it dead, and the
dog is not apt to find it, because it cannot move to disperse
the scent, and if the dog should happen to find it it will be
only by chance. All Partridges from which the feathers
fly, or which exhibit any symptoms of being hit immedi-
ately after being fired at should be narrowly marked down.
Four Partridges out of five that fly away mortally wounded,
especially if their legs are hanging down, fall within one
hundred and fifty yards of the spot where fired at, and the
sportsman who wishes to recover his wounded birds should
be particular in marking them accurately down. A poin-
ter or setter, one that understands his business, that will
search for, and hunt and trail up, and is good at finding
broken wing and dead birds, is indeed, in my o^Dinion, an
indispensable and valuable dog to a sportsman, for unless
you have the assistance of a dog, and one that understands
his business, to find dead birds, and trail up wounded ones,
many dead birds will be lost, and many broken-wing birds
will get away and will not be bagged.
TOWERING OF A PARTRIDGE. 103
TOWEEING OF A PAETEIBGE.
tOWEEING is the last movement in the death strug-
gle of a wounded Partridge when hit in the head.
^^ ,The towering of a Partridge is curious, beautiful, and
^ interesting to behold, and is indeed a very singular
phenomenon. It frequently occurs in this way : The Par-
tridge after being hit ilies oif in a straight line some dis-
tance, and then, by a peculiar flutter of the wings, rises up
into the air in a straight line with its head pointed up-
wards, when, being dead, it falls with closed wings to the
ground. Towering is the last effort of a Partridge mor-
tally wounded in this manner, gasping for life, after which
it falls, with closed wings, to the ground dead as a rock.
I have hit Partridges with one pellet of shot in the eyes,
and blinded them. I have seen them rise into the air and
hover, and twist, and soar to a great height and then fall
to the ground, very often head foremost, always with wings
extended. In the same manner I have seen Partridges rise
into the air, and hover and twist, to great height, when hit
by a shot in the beak, which carried it off close to the head.
I have often seen Partridges hit in this way fall to the
ground, get up and fly away again. This is not towering
strictly speaking. When a Partridge towers it falls to the
ground with wings closed, perfectly dead, and you will gen-
erally find it lying on its back. When a Partridge is hit
in the eyes or beak, and comes down with wings extended,
it has not fallen dead. This is mock towering of a wounded
Partridge, and a sportsman who has once witnessed the fall
of a towering Partridge will know the difference. I have
often hit Partridges with one pellet of shot in the eyes,
sometimes partially, often entirely blinding them; they
would fly around and around in a circle, apparently in great
104 FRANK SOHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
agony ; would often come directly towards me, bleeding from
the eyes, and be captured, a single shot having hit them in
one or both eyes, going through and blinding them. Tow-
ering Partridges should be marked down very accurately,
if not they will not be found, as the distance between is
very deceptive ; they give out but little scent, and unless
the dog gets his nose right on them he will not find them.
But I have often noticed on finding these birds that they
were not as far off as they seemed to be when first marked
down. When a wounded Partridge mock towers, and
comes down with wings extended, you should approach
with due caution to bag it ; the bird not being dead will
often rise and fly away when you are in the act of picking
it up, and even when in your hand.
THE SPORTSMAN WHO NEVER FAILS TO HIT. ' 105
THE SPOETSMAN WHO NEYEE FAILS TO HIT.
HAVE heard of sportsmen shooting who never failed
to hit, but I must confess I have never seen such a
sportsman. I have shot with sportsmen who had
the reputation of killing twenty-five Partridges out
of twenty-five shots, it made no difference where the
birds were found, and with others who had killed every
bird that would rise. I have shot with some who had
the reputation of killing every time they would fire, and
again with those who have said they could kill nine
Partridges out of ten all daj^ long, one day after another,
the season through, in cover or out of cover. I have heard
such romancing a thousand times, and I have always found,
when the experiment was tested by actual experience in the
field, that the sportsman who had the reputation of never
failing to hit a bird was always a slow, miserable, poking
shot. Where he would kill one bird, a good, quick, expert
sportsman would kill and bag a half dozen in the same
time. It is impossible to kill every Partridge you fire at.
Some times the shot spreads widely and the bird escapes
being hit, it matters not how perfect your aim may be. At
other times you may have perfect aim, and by a slip, or a
stumble, or by the sun getting in your eyes, or a bush or a
tree intervening, or the bird darting or turning off just at
the moment of drawing the trigger, you may miss. When-
ever you hear of a sportsman who can kill twenty-five
Partridges out of twenty-five shots, and can kill such a
number without missing, and he can prove it by some of
his sporting friends, you can rest assured that, if he is tell-
ing the truth, the way it is done is by picking out in the
open fields all the slow flying, eas}^, and certain shots, and
refusing to fire upon all birds that he is uncertain of kill-
14
106 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
ing. It is the difficult and uncertain shots that try the skill
of the sportsman, and it is these shots particularly that a
good sportsman loves to make successfully. One difficult,
cramped, and uncertain shot, at long range, that brings
down the game, gives more real enjoyment and pleasure to
a good shot than forty slow-flying certain ones, because it
tasks his skill to the utmost to bring the bird down. It is
the number of doubtful, difficult, cramped, and uncertain
shots by which a sportsman kills game in a day's hunt that
makes him superior in skill to the man who refuses to fire
except when an easy, certain chance offers at short range.
The sportsman who takes every chance when in the field,
or in the thicket, or wood, and fires whenever a bird offers
a chance to be hit, if he kills three birds out of five, day
in and day out, is doing excellent shooting, and where one
sportsman comes up to this standard of shooting you will
find five hundred that will not. A good shot can go out in
the open fields the first of the shooting season, when the
birds are young and tame and fly very slowly, and by pick-
ing out his birds to shoot at, he can kill, if birds are plenty,
a large number in a day's hunt, and by only shooting easy
and certain shots at short range, and refusing all long range
and difficult ones, he can kill in this way a good number
of birds before he misses. But late in the season, in De-
cember, when the birds are strong and wild, and fly like
bullets, it takes a good, quick shot to bring them down. I
have yet to see the sportsman who can, at this advanced
period of the season, kill every bird he fires at, whether he
picks his shots or not. It is not the sportsman who kills
the greatest number of birds without missing, in a day's
hunt, that is the best marksman, but the sportsman that
kills the greatest number of birds, or bags the most game,
ill the day's shooting. I have seen sportsmen, when in the
field, who had the reputation of being expert marksmen,
and men that never failed to hit, and in order to sustain this
character would manufacture all kind of excuses for not
shooting at birds that offered the fairest mark. Being afraid
of missing they would go poking about, aiming at every
THE SPORTSMAN WHO NEVER PAILS TO HIT. 107
bird that would rise, and dwell on the bird in its line of
flight, and then, perhaps, would not fire, "it being a beau-
tiful mark too." And the whole day would be spent in this
manner, in poking and sighting at birds in order to fire six or
seven certain shots where there was no possible chance of
missing, and keeping a correct account how many times
they would fire, so that they could tell their friends that
they had been out shooting and had killed every bird they
had fired at. All such shooting is too tame to talk about.
In order to sustain a reputation as the sportsman who never
fails to hit, you must fire upon all Partridges that offer a
chance to be killed, in bush or out of bush, the difficult,
cramped, and uncertain shots, as well as the easy, certain
ones, at long as well as short ran ge.
108 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
THE EXCITABLE SPOETSMAN.
[Some sportsTnen, when shooting, are subject to ungov-
ernable excitement, and all they can do to restrain
this feeling, at the time, seems to serve only to in.
crease it, and they find it impossible to become cool
and calm. Therefore, it is a great drawback, and prevents
them from becoming accurate marksmen — (sportsmen who
are so unfortunate as to be inflicted in this way.) It will
depend altogether upon the state of his mind or nerves as to
whether the sportsman will shoot well or ill. If he shoots
well it will be at the time when he has the least anxiety about
killing his game, or when he is most successful in his shoot-
ing. One or two clean misses, or unsuccessful shots, or
balks in the morning, will generally upset the whole day's
shooting with him. He will become over-anxious to kill,
and over-anxiousness will bring on nervousness, and over-
whelmed with excitement his nerves will become unstrung,
and under these circumstances he will be likely to continue
to shoot badly the balance of the day. But should the ex-
citable sportsman be successful in the morning, and kill,
clean, two or three birds, or bring down a doubtful shot,
this will give him confidence, and he will continue to shoot
good the whole day, or at any rate so long as everything
goes evenly and smoothly with him. But if the least tri-
fling circumstance should change the case, or make it other-
wise, it will cause him to shoot badly, or at all events very
uncertainly. An excitable sportsman is very precarious in
his shooting. When a covey springs suddenly the noise or
whirr of the birds' wings throws him off* his guard. He
excitedly pitches the gun up, and in a flash blazes away, in
a hurry, without taking any aim. When walking up to a
dog that is pointing a covey, where the birds are all scat-
THE EXCITABLE SPORTSMAN. 109
tered around, he gets into a nervous trepidation, and when
the covey springs he fires away with an uncertain aim, and
shoots altogether differently from a man who is perfectly
collected and cool. To remedy this excitement when shoot-
ing at a covey, or walking up to a dog when he is point-
ing, the excitable sportsman must learn to regulate himself.
He must practice coolness, and must learn calmness. He
should make it his duty to master his feelings and become
less anxious, and not care so much about killing his game.
If he makes these things his study he will accomplish much
towards making himself a cool, accurate marksman. I
have seen sportsmen who, when the dog would point a
covey, became so excited and nervous that the whole frame
would shake as if with an ague, and I have seen others who,
when a Partridge would rise suddenly from under their feet,
would be so frightened by the noise that they would fire
before the gun would be to the shoulder. I have seen others
again, when a hare would bounce up unexpectedly from out
of the grass, stand and gaze at the hare as it was bounding
off until its form melted in the distance, or disappeared in
the cover, and forget they had a killing piece of machinery
in their hands. I have seen others who, when a bird would
be advancing toward them, would fire before the bird would
get within killing distance of the gun. I have also seen
others who, when they were taking aim, became so excited
that their limbs would shake so violently it would be im-
possible for them to hold the gun steady. Some I have
seen completely paralyzed for a moment when the game
would spring, and they would stand and look at the game
going off without firing at it. Again, I have witnessed
others sneaking cautiously up to the game, so as to get a
close shot, whose hearts would beat so rapidly that, after
they had fired, on asking them a question, it would be im-
possible for them, for want of breath, to answer it; and
others I have seen chase game, which they had wounded
with one barrel, until they were nearly exhausted, and
then let the game escape, and forget the other barrel of the
gun was charged. I have seen sportsmen so nervous and
110 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
excited, after they had fired, that their hands would shake
80 violently that it would be the greatest difficulty for them,
at the moment, to charge the gun again — all because of
their excitement. An excitable sportsman shoots best
when he is alone ; in the presence of others he generally
shoots badly, being too anxious, and afraid of missing or
of losing his reputation by being beaten. An excitable
sportsman will generally shoot diiferently every day, accord-
ing to the equilibrium of his nerves. He may go out one
day and shoot exceedingly well, the next day he may go
out and shoot miserably ; the least excitement or annoy-
ance will upset his nerves at any time, and consequently
his shooting will vary accordingly. My advice to all ex-
citable sportsmen is to practice self control, and learn to be
calm ; be less eager, master yourselves so as to be able to reg-
ulate your every motion when in the field, and when in the
act of shooting. When this is accomplished you have
gained that which all good marksmen possess — a steady
hand, and firm, and quiet nerve.
THE RECKLESS SPORTSMAN. Ill
THE EECKLESS SPORTSMAN.
GUIS' is a very dangerous weapon, even in the hands
of the most careful sportsman. Thousands of acci-
dents have occurred by guns in the hands of the
most careful and experienced sportsmen, and how
often, after they have used every care and precaution for
years, do we hear of sad and melancholy accidents occur-
ring which destroy the peace and joy of a whole family, by
the loss of a father or a brother. How often do we hear
of a father losing his arm, a brother his eye, or a particu-
lar friend his hand or finger, or being injured for life
by the accidental discharge of a gun through reckless-
ness, or in the hands of some reckless person. Such acci-
dents frequently occur with guns in the hands of the most
careful and experienced sportsmen, and they will certainly
occur sooner or later with reckless sportsmen. So in hand-
ling such a dangerous death-dealing weapon as a gun you
cannot be too careful. When out shooting never have the
muzzle of the gun pointing towards the person you are
with ; be on your guard and be watchful of this under any
and all circumstances, and never have the gun pointing in
such a direction that you could possibly shoot yourself un-
der any circumstance, but always remember to keep the
muzzle of the gun pointing in a direction that, if the gun
should accidentally go off, the charge would be harmless.
If you are shooting a muzzle loader, after discharging one
barrel of the gun, never forget to throw the muzzle of the
gun downwards, and give it a slight tap or so before charg-
ing it again. This will empty the gun of any little remnant
that may remain in the barrel, which sometimes contains
a spark of fire, and if the gun is charged, especially in a
hurry, without getting it out, the spark will ignite the
112 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
powder, and you may lose a finger, or one or both eyes by
the explosion. On entering a house with a loaded gun, if
it is a breech loader, withdraw the charges. If it is a muz-
zle loader always remove the caps off of the nipples of the
gun, especially if you set the gun away ; if the caps are
not removed from off of the nipples a blow on them will
discharge the loads, and if it is drawn towards a person, as
it often will be by thoughtless people in lifting it, or re-
moving it from place to place, it will be likely to go off, and
perhaps cause a serious accident. The same precaution
should be used when getting into a vehicle, and in carry-
ing the gun on long tramps, where it is frequently removed
from vehicle to shoulder and from shoulder to case. The
proper way is to withdraw the charges, or leave the nipples
without caps, and place on the nipples, in place of caps,
cotton or tow; you can then let the hammers down and the
gun will be safe. Never put caps on the nipples of a muzzle
loader until you have finished charging the gun. Never
toss the gun up whilst drawing the charge when the gun
is capped. Never charge one barrel of the gun when the
other is cocked and capped. When in the field, and in ex-
pectation of a shot, always carry the gun with the ham-
mers raised, so you will be ready at the instant for any
chance that may offer. But on coming up to a fence let
the hammers down, and in getting over the fence push the
muzzle of the gun in front of you. Don't pull the gun
through the fence, or stick the gun between the rails of the
fence, and then get over. It is better to push the muzzle
of the gun in front of you, and climb over the top. In this
way you will run no risk of having an accident by the
hammers catching in drawing the gun through. Many
sportsmen have been shot by pulling the gun reckless!}'
through the fence instead of climbing over the top, and
pushing the gun in front of them when getting over.
When running around making a circuit to get a near shot,
or running after or chasing wounded game, always remem-
ber to keep the muzzle of the gun pointing upwards, for if
you should happen to stumble and fall when running, and
THE RECKLESS SPORTSMAN. 113
the point of the gun is downward the muzzle will be driven
into the ground, especially if the ground is moist and soft,
and if the gun goes off, or is discharged in this situation
the barrels will be almost sure to explode, and you may
lose your life by the explosion. But if the muzzle of the
gun is pointed upward, there will be no risk of an explo-
sion. When standing on a fence, or walking a log, or
jumping a ditch, or getting in or out of a wagon or boat,
or walking along in a road going or returning from a hunt,
when stopping at a spring to drink or resting for awhile,
always have the hammer of the gun down. Whenever
you stop at a spring to drink, or to eat your lunch, or in
any manner rest for awhile, instead of standing the gun
up against a bush, twig or tree, as all reckless sportsmen
do, lay the gun down on the ground, and you will have
less chance of an accident. Should the gun be standing up
it might fall and strike the hammers and go off, and per-
haps shoot you, your friend or dog. When shooting in
swamps, woods or thicket with a companion never fire
upon a bird or animal, it makes no difference how fair the
shot may be, unless you are certain of the whereabouts of
the position of your companion. You had better let the
bird or animal escape without firing, than to fire recklessly
and perhaps hit your companion. In walking in thick
undergrowth with a friend, where it is difficult to force
the way, and you are compelled to walk on behind the
other, let the foremost man hold the muzzle of his gun in
front, and the rear man hold the muzzle of his gun point-
ing backward, so that if a twig or bush should happen to
catch and raise the hammer, and discharge either of the
guns, there will be no damage done. The same precaution
should be used in sneaking or crawling up to get a close
shot. If one man is behind the other the foremost should
carry his gun with the muzzle pointing in front of him,
and the rear man should carry his gun with the muzzle
pointing backwards. When in the field, where the birds
are all scattered around, and in expectation of a shot, the
gun should be carried with the hammers raised. If the ham-
15
114 FEANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
mers are down, in the excitement of raising the hammers,
when a bird rises unexpectedly, the thumb will oftentimes
slip, especially if the hammers are damp, or the thumb
moist or wet, or the thumb benumbed by cold, while the gun
is ready for immediate use, and only has to be pointed to
be discharged. When shooting with a muzzle-loader, and
you make a mistake, and put two charges down in one bar-
rel of the gun, or get the ramrod fastened in the barrel, do
not fire the gun off, as some reckless sportsmen do, and run
the risk of losing a limb or your life by the gun bursting,
which is often the case when discharged in such a condi-
tion, but remove the charges, or the ramrod, and do not run
any risk by recklessly discharging the gun. When firing
off the gun never hold the butt against your stomach or
bowels, the kick or recoil of the gun sometimes is very se-
vere, and death has been caused repeatedly by such care-
lessness. Never lie down, flat on your back, or lean your
back against a rock or tree when firing your gun off, for
the recoil of the gun may be the means of breaking your
collar bone. Such accidents frequently befall ignorant and
reckless sportsmen. In carrying a gun, when in expecta-
tion of a shot where the birds are all scattered around,
carrj' it with the muzzle pointing downward, but when just
walking the field, and not expecting a shot, carry your gun
on your shoulder, with the muzzle pointing upwards.
When you stop for a moment never rest with your hands
over the muzzle of the gun, this is a dangerous, reckless
fashion. Some sportsmen have this habit, and it has been
the cause of many accidents. For instance, when the dog
comes in he may run and jump up against you, "and should
his foot happen to slip and strike and raise the hammer the
gun will be discharged, and the probability is you may lose
your hand, or perhaps both by the explosion. In conclu-
sion I shall say, not only to reckless sportsmen, but to all
gunners, and to all shooters, and to all those who handle
guns, be careful when handling a gun, and never forget for
one moment, not even if you have been told that the gun
THE RECKLESS SPORTSMAN. 115 i
is not charged, that you are handling a death-dealing ]
weapon, which requires the greatest care and watchfulness,
not only to prevent it from destroying your own life, but i
also the life of some fellow being. j
116 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
THE BAD SHOT, OE UNSKILLED SPOETSMAN.
HE bad shot or unskilled sportsman is generally a
man who possesses but little idea of discrimination,
and one who lacks keen observation and judgment.
He is an excitable and self-willed sort of fellow, and
when a Partridge rises he becomes so overwhelmed with
anxiety, being afraid he will not kill the bird, that, very
often, he fires without taking aim, and of course the bird
goes on without being hit. When a covey of Partridges
rises he bangs away in a hurry without selecting out one
bird of the covey to fire upon. The consequence is he fails
to kill, but thinks he ought to have killed at least half a
dozen. He magnifies a small covey of ten or twelve birds to
be the largest number he ever saw in one covey, and thinks
forty birds must have arisen, and that he ought have killed
five or six of them at the lowest. The whole covey flies
off without being watched, or marked down, and after the
excitement wears away, and the gun is recharged, he starts
oif in a great hurry, and goes hunting around and about to
find where the birds have gone, and perhaps will spend a
half day searching before he finds them, whereas by a lit-
tle observation at the time of flushing the covey he could
have marked the birds all down to a certainty. The bad
shot or unskilled sportsman is no judge of distances when
in the fi-eld. Sometimes he fires way out of range of the
gun where there is no possible chance of killing. At other
times he fires so very close that if the bird is hit it is torn to
pieces, and, perhaps, will not be in a condition to carry
home. On the other hand, should tbe bird be hit at a long
distance, it will possibly just have its wing tipped. If this
is the case, a regular foot race will immediately ensue with
the dog and the man, and if you accompany him, unless
THE BAD SHOT, OR UNSKILLED SPORTSMAN. 117
you take 'good care and protect yourself by dodging behind
a tree, or a rock, you will stand a good chance of being
shot by the accidental discharge of the gun in th'fe hands of
the unskilled sportsman while racing, especially if through
brushwood, hanging branches, or bushes. The bad shot's,
or unskilled sportsman's dog will become suspicious of him.
He will perform all kinds of little tricks. For instance,
when he points a covey he is anxious to get his mouth on
the birds, and is conscious of his master missing, and of
seeing the birds fly off, as he has often done before, without
having a chance to mouth one ; he will take the chances for
himself and pitch in before his master gets up to him, and
when the birds are on the wing he will take after and chase,
and try to catch them. If his master tries to check him
from racing he will pay no attention to his call, but will
become hard of hearing, head strong, and ungovernable.
Should the bad shot, or unskilled sportsman, by chance
happen to kill a bird, the dog will be likely to bite it or
chew it up before he gets up to him, because he so seldom
gets one to mouth, and when he does he makes much of it,
by biting or chewing it up. The bad shot, or unskilled
sportsman, when shooting with other marksmen, has many
false excuses for not killing. For instance, when a Par-
tridge rises and flies off he fires in a hurry, without taking
aim, of course he misses clip and clear. He will then say,
"I would have killed that bird, but just as I pulled the trig-
ger my foot slipped, and it threw me clear out of kelter.
The next shot I hope I will be more fortunate." Again, a
bird rises and flies off', he bangs away ; the bird is missed
clear as a whistle. He then says, "did you hear my gun
hang fire ; what a pity, such a beautiful shot, too. I would
have riddled that bird if my gun had not hung fire. It
hung fire so long I did not think it was going off, and just
as I was in the act of taking it from my shoulder, to my
utter astonishment, it went off." The next bird rises and
flies across the bad shot, and he being no judge of distances,
and having no knowledge of shooting cross shots, or birds
flying around, or across to the right, or left, he fires, and
118 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
again he misses — the bird flies on most beautifully. He
exclaims, "did you see the feathers fl}^ out of that bird.
Why, I almost picked it. If my shot had been larger I
would have bored a hole right through it, but my shot is
too small entirely." The next bird rises and flies off; he
bangs away with the same result. The feathers carry off
the meat, and he contends the bird hangs a leg, and will
die; that his aim was perfect, but the powder was good
for nothing ; that if he had good strong powder his shoot-
ing would be more effectual, it not being strong enough to
kill the birds when hit. He goes the whole day long shoot-
ing at Partridges and missing them, and every time he
misses he manufactures some excuse to suit the occasion.
A bad shot, or unskilled sportsman, shoots in too much of
a hurry as a general thing. He makes no allowance in
shooting in a strong wind for the shot to be drifted off from
a right line. He makes no allowance for the falling of shot
in shooting at long range. In shooting cross shots he ar-
rests the motion of the gun, at the time of drawing the
trigger, instead of continuing it in the line of flight of the
bird. A bad shot may start out and find a large number
of Partridges, in a day's hunt, but will kill few. He will
return in the evening with an empty bag, stating to his
friends that he found plenty of birds but they were very
wild, or he saw plenty of game, but, after discharging his
gun several times, he unfortunately lost his shot out of his
pouch and was compelled to return home, but if he had
not lost the shot, he would have filled the bag. Other
times he may tell them when he has returned from a hunt,
that he found dead loads of birds, but he only fired two or
three shots and those were very difficult ones ; that he suc-
ceeded in killing two out of three, and would have killed
the third, but just as the bird raised, a farmer cried out,
*'get off of my land," which threw him off his guard and
he missed. The balance of the day afterwards he met with
the same luck — just as fast as he found a covey he was
driven off the land by farmers, and this prevented him
from filling his game-bag. Bad shots or unskilled sports-
THE BAD SHOT, OR UNSKILLED SPORTSMAN. 119
men only kill Partridges flying straight off, and that too
at short range; because they have no power of judging
distances, and no knowledge of shooting cross-shots, which
requires a combination of movements to be successful. A
young sportsman should beware of going shooting with a
man who has the reputation of being a bad marksman. It
is better to go out with a skilled marksman, for if he con-
tracts the habits of the bad marksman, it will be difficult
to get rid of them. A bad shot, or unskilled sportsman
will spoil the best broken dog in the world, and should a
sportsman want to purchase a well-broken dog, my advice
is, never buy one from a man that is a bad shot. Never
loan a well-broken dog, pointer or setter, to a man who
shoots badly, for if you do you can rest assured that the
dog will be spoiled. He will contract bad habits; he will
learn to run in, or chase, or become careless, or run after
the birds without pointing them; he will become ungov-
ernable, and it will be almost impossible for you to control
him afterwards, unless you thrash him and keep strict
watch over him. The bad shot, or unskilled sportsman, is
a great protection to Partridges. He goes out and finds
and flushes the covies, and fires away both barrels with-
out killing any, and the covies become scattered in every
direction. Should the good shot come along, he finds it
impossible to get up a covey, because they have been flushed
and scattered by the bad shot. The good shot may get up
one or two scattered birds and kill them, whereas if the
bad shot had not gone that way and flushed and scattered
the covies, the chances are two to one that the good shot
would have filled his bag out of the same covies, going
over the same ground. Bad shots frighten the Partridges
and make them very wild and shy. I have seen Partridges
fly clear out of sight over the tops of the highest trees, and
hide themselves in holes in the ground, and under cord-
wood and old drift, in musk-rat holes, stone fences, and
under roots of trees, stumps, hollow logs, stone-piles, wheat-
stacks, corn-shocks, piles of rails, sink-holes, and in every
120 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
conceivable place they could hide, where a dog oftentimes
could not scratch them out, so frightened do they become
by being driven up so often, and shot at by bad shots, or
unskilled sportsmen.
MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 121
MISCELLANEOUS HINTS— DRESS FOR PART-
RIDGE SHOOTING.
HE olor of the Partridge shooter's clothing, pants,
coat, and vest, should as nearly as possible correspond
with his natural surroundings, or at all events it
should be of some dull drab color, that which would
not be likely to attract much attention. In autumn, when
the foliage and vegetation is turning yellow, a light brown
or yellowish-drab will be found to be as near the tint as
any. For material every sportsman has his own fancy.
As far as I am concerned I prefer strong fustian or cordu-
roy. The coat should be a short sack, and should fit easily
and comfortably, with plenty of pockets. The game
pockets should fill the whole of the inside of the skirt.
Being thus prepared you can carry a large bag with much
less trouble than with the ordinary game bag. A drab
low-crowned, flexible, ordinary brimmed slouch hat, is as.
good for open or bush Partridge shooting as any head cov-
ering.
BooTS.-^Boots for Partridge shooting should never be
made too heavy. It is altogether a mistaken idea to have
them made of the stoutest leather. A pair of strong, light,
easy and comfortable fitting boots is what you want. Ob-
serve Mr. Lewis's advice on the subject of shooting boots :
"Nothing adds more to the comfort and good humor of a
sportsman than a perfectly fitting and well modeled boot,
and nothing is more easily obtained if recourse is had to a
smart workman. If walking boots are not made full, large,
and easy, no comfort can be expected from them, as they
will be sure either to cramp the feet, pinch the toes, gall
the heel, skin the instep, or arrest the free circulation of
the blood and fatigue the wearer almost to death. It is of
16
122 PRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
no use, certainly, to enumerate any more of the miseries
attending a pair of bad-fitting shooting boots, as many of
our readers, no doubt, some time in the course of their
lives, have had a practical demonstration of the matter,
and perhaps can speak more feelingly on the subject than
we can, as we have always been very particular in the
choice of these articles, and consequently have seldom been
caught in the unfortunate situation above alluded to.
There are, however, some other objections attending the
ownership of a pair of tight boots, particularly when damp;
that is, they are very inconvenient to get on, and, we might
say, still worse to pull off. And, moreover, nothing injures
the stiffening of the heels so much, and makes them per-
fectly good-for-nothing, as tugging at them with a boot-
jack, or working into them with the toe of the other foot,
or over the cross-bar of a chair; the stiff sole-leather with
which the heel is braced becomes perfectly soft, and con-
sequently will be sure to run over on the next trial. What
is more ludicrous than to see a bad tempered man, half
bent, dancing and prancing over a small room, w^ith one
foot in a slipper and the other stuck fast halfway down a
tight boot, striving in vain with all the energies in his body
to force it on? Such scenes are not uncommon among
sportsmen, and often give rise to much merriment on the
part of the " knowing ones." That a tight boot is very
uncomfortable, no one will deny; and a boot made too large
for the foot has likewise its inconveniences, as it will be
sure to ride up and down on the heel, and sooner or later
will rub the foot into blisters of the most painful character.
There is a happy medium between the two evils of loose
and tight boots, which every intelligent mechanic knows
how to arrive at without any directions from the sports-
man; in a word, "the boot should be made to fit the foot,
and not the foot to fit the boot," as is too often the case.
Knife ; Drinking Cup. — On starting out to take a hunt,
before starting always see that you have in your pockets,
a knife, a drinking cup, and something to eat; also, some
twine string; and, if you indulge in tobacco, see that you
MISCELLANEOUS HINTS. 123
■ (
have that, unless you prefer to feel all through the day un-
like yourself; do not chew too much, nor over-walk your-
self at the sport, particularly if you are not very strong —
both over-walking and chewing weaken the nerves and
injures the constitution.
If 3'ou want to feel good through the day, never start
out in the morning to hunt with an empty stomach — eat
something before you start, if it be only no more than a
slice of bread.
Accoutrements. — Of gun covers, wad cutters, game bags,
dog calls, pocket cleaning rods, shot belts, shot pouches,
powder flasks, nipple wrenches, shells, shell extractors, &c.,
I shall have nothing to say, more than to refer you to J.
H. Johnson, at the Great Western Gun Works No. 285
Liberty street, Pittsburgh, Pa., for an illustrated cata-
logue of 100 pages of sporting goods, out of which you can
make a selection to suit your fancy.
Caps. — Eley's water-proof caps, warranted not to fly to
pieces, nor miss fire, for Partridge shooting, are what you
want.
Wadding. — Eley's patent chemically prepared hair-felt
gun- wads, warranted not to take fire, or fly to pieces in the
barrel, are as good wadding for shooting as any.
Powder. — I prefer the medium size grained powder for
Partridge shooting. Lafl^in & Eand's Orange Lightning,
Oriental, Dupont's, Curtis & Harvey, Hazard's, American
Powder Company, any of these brands are good enough,
and all I have got to say is, that whenever you fail to kill
your birds shooting, with any of these brands, when the
powder is pure and dry, why, you can set it down that
there is something wrong behind the gun.
Shot. — The adjoining table, showing the number of pel-
lets to the ounce of the various and comparative sizes of
shot which are made by the leading manufacturers, which
may prove of service to sportsmen, is taken from W. F.
Parker:
124
PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
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RUFFED GROUSE
PHEASANT SHOOTING.
THE GEOUSE.
§HE Grouse belong to the family "TetraonidsB," and
arc characterized among gallinaceous birds by their
g^ densely feathered tarsi ; and by the feathers of the
^ nasal fossa or groove, which fill it completely,
and conceal the nostrils. The toes are usually naked,
(feathered to the claws in the Ptarmigans,) and with
pectinations of scales along the edges. The tail feathers
vary from sixteen to eighteen, and even twenty in num-
ber; the tail is rounded, acute, or forked. The orbital
region is generally somewhat bare, with a naked stripe
above the upper eyelid, beset by short, fringe-like processes,
while many genera have an inflatable air-sac on the side of
the neck. In this family, according to Baird, Brewer and
Eidgway, the following varieties can be found in North
America. The common name of each variety, and the
places they respectively inhabit, are as follows :
No. 1. Spruce Partridge, Canada Grouse. — This variety
inhabits spruce forests and swamps of the Northern United
States to the Arctic seas. West, nearly to Eocky Moun-
tains.
126 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
No. 2. Franklin Grouse. — Inhabits Northern Epcky
Mountains, near the United States boundary, and West to
coast range.
No. 3. Dusky Grouse. — Inhabits Rocky Mountain region
of the United States, principally South of South Pass and
Sierra Nevada, North to Oregon, and South to San Fran-
cisco Mountains, New Mexico.
No. 4. Oregon Dusky Grouse. — Inhabits North-West coast
region from Oregon to Sitka.
No. 5. Richardson's Dusky Grouse. — Inhabits Rocky
Mountains of British America. South to the Yellow Stone
and Hell Gate region of the United States.
No. 6. Sage Cock, Cock of the Plains. — Inhabits Artemisia,
or Sage Plains of the North-West.
No. 7. Sharp-Tailed Grouse. — Inhabits British America
from Hudson's Bay territory South to Northern shore of
Lake Superior, and West to Alaska and British Columbia.
No. 8. Columbia Sharp-Tailed Grouse. — Inhabits Plains
and Prairies of the United States from Illinois and Wiscon-
sin West to Oregon and Nevada, South to .Colorado and
New Mexico, etc.
No. 9. Pinnated Grouse; Prairie Sen; Prairie Chicken. —
Inhabits Prairies of the Mississippi Valley from Louisiana,
northward. East to Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania; for-
merly along the Eastern coast of the United States from
Long Island to Cape Cod ; or farther, a few still left on
Naushon and Martha's Vineyard.
10. Texas Prairie Hen. — Inhabits South-Western Prai-
ries, Staked Plains, Texas.
No. 11. Ruffed Grouse; Partridge; Pheasant. — Inhabits
Eastern Province of North America.
No. 12. The Mountain Partridge. — Inhabits Rocky Moun-
tains of the United States and interior of British America,
from Alaska (on the Yukon) to Canada.
No. 13. The Oregon Grouse. — Inhabits Coast Mountains
of Oregon, Washington and British Columbia.
THE GROUSE. 127
No. 14. Willow Grrouse, White Ptarmigan. — Inhabits Arc-
tic America from Newfoundland to Sitka.
No. 15. Bock Ptarmigan. — Inhabits Artie America.
No. 16. White Tail Ptarmigan. — Inhabits Alpine Sum-
mits of the Western Mountains from latitude 39° in the
Kocky Mountains, North into British America, and West
to the cascades of Oregon, Washington and British Co-
lumbia.
Of these stylish game birds, as far as heard from, we
have then in all sixteen varieties inhabiting North Amer-
ica, only four of which varieties are found to the Eastward
of the Mississippi River. These are the first, eighth, ninth
and eleventh varieties. The first variety, Canada Grouse,
is a swamp and forest ranging bird of Northern United
States. The eighth variety, Columbia Sharp-Tail Grouse,
is said to only occur East of the Mississippi River, in
Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. Of the ninth
variety, Pinnated Grouse, as well as the first variety,
Canada Grouse, and the eighth variety, Columbia Sharp-
Tail Grouse, I shall give under their proper heads, their
ornithological characters and habits. The second, third,
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth, twelfth, thirteenth,
fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth varieties no where ex-
ist to the eastward of the Mississippi River. These I shall
only notice by giving their habits, which I shall produce
from the best authors in North American ornithology.
The eleventh variety, Rufi"ed Grouse; Partridge; Phea-
sant, we shall introduce to the sportsman as the object of
our pursuit, and the special subject of this treatise, it being
found in the whole of the Eastern Province of North Amer-
ica, and is a well known game bird of this country. In the
arrangement of this work I shall begin with the ornitho-
logical description of the characters and habits of the first,
eighth, and ninth varieties, and follow on with the habits
of the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh, tenth,
twelfth, thirteenth, fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth va-
rieties. I shall then close the volume, and this department
128 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
of my work, with giving a full and complete account, and
the best modes I have used in shooting, hunting, and bag-
ging the eleventh variety. Buffed Grouse, Partridge, Phea-
sant, reserving only a small space for shooting in woods
and thickets.
SPRUCE partridge; CANADA GROUSE. 129
SPEUOE PAETEIDGE; CANADA GEOUSE.
Canance Canadensis, Var, Canadensis. — Linn.
fl^gP. CHAE. — Tail of sixteen feathers. Above black.
FMB Feathers above distinctly banded with plumbeous ;
g^" beneath uniform black, with a pectoral band of
^ white, and white on the sides of the belly. Chin and
throat above, black. Tail with a broad brownish-orange
terminal band. Length, 16, 20 ; wing, 6, 70 ; tail, 5, 44.
Female smaller, but somewhat similar; the black bars
above broader, the inner gray bars of each feather, includ-
ing the tail, replaced by broader ones of brownish-orange.
The under parts have the feathers black, barred with the
brownish-orange, which, on the tips of the belly-feathers, is
pure white. The clear continuous black of the head and
breast is wanting. The scapulars, greater coverts, and
sides are streaked as in the male.
A female (No. 39, 136, Gr. A. Boardman) from Maine,
differs from the above description in having the ground of
the plumage a bright orange-rufous, the distinct bars of
which are broader than the black ones ; this is probably
an autumnal bird, and represents the peculiar plumage of
that season. Males vary, individually, in the extent or
uniformity of the black of the breast.
Specimens from Alaska, (Nulato, Kodiak, etc.,) Eed
Elver, Liard's Eiver and Fort Liard, Hudson's Bay Terri-
tory, Canada, and Maine, appear to be absolutely identi-
cal. The young in downy state are pale buff yellow ; the
head above, with the back and wings, pale fulvous ; a black
stripe on side of head (from bill to end of auriculars), two
spots on crown, and transverse crescentic spots on backa
and wings, black.
17
130 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
Hab. — Spruce forests and swamps of the IN'orthern
United States to the Arctic Seas; West nearly to Kocky
Mountains. — ^^North American Birds.'" — Baird, Brewer and
Ridgway.
Habits. — Baird, Brewer and Eidgway's description of
this bird's habits in the North American Birds, is as fol-
lows : "This bird, variously known as the Spruce or Wood
Partridge, Canada, Black, or Spotted Grouse, is found, in
favorable localities, from the Northern United States as
far North as the woods extend, to the Arctic Ocean, being
found, even in mid- winter, nearly to the 70th parallel. Sir
John Richardson found all the thick and swampy black-
spruce forests between Canada and the Arctic Sea abound-
ing with this species. In winter it descends into Maine,
Northern New York, and Michigan. Its migrations are,
however, only partial, as it is found in the severest weather
of mid-winter, in considerable numbers, as far North as
latitude 67°. According to Mr. Douglass, West of the
Rocky Mountains it is replaced by the T. frankliiii. This
bird is said to perch in trees, in flocks of eight or ten, and
is so stupid that it may be taken by slipping a noose, fas-
tened to the end of a stick, over its head. When disturbed^
it flies heavily a short distance, and then alights again
among the interior branches of a tree. Richardson inva-
riably found its crop filled with the buds of the spruce-
trees in the winter, and at that time its flesh was very
dark and had a strong resinous taste. In districts where
the Finns banksiana grows it is said to prefer the buds of
that tree. In the summer it feeds on berries, which render
its flesh more palatable.
Captain Blakiston states that he has found this species
as far West as Fort Carlton, and Mr. Ross has traced it
northward on the Mackenzie to the Arctic coast. Mr.
Audubon met w^ith it in Maine, in the vicinity of East-
port, where they were only to be met with in the thick
and tangled forests of spruce and hackmatack. They were
breeding in the inner recesses of almost impenetrable
woods of hackmatack or larches. He was informed that
SPRUCE PARTRIDGE ; CANADA GROUSE. 131
they breed in that neighborhood about the middle of May,
a full month sooner than they do in Labrador. In their
love season the males are said to exhibit many of the sin-
gular manners also noticeabe in the other members of this
family. They strut before the female on the ground, some-
thing in the manner of the common domestic turkey-cock,
occasionally rising in a spiral manner above her in the air;
at the same time, both when on the ground and in the air,
they beat their wings violently against their body, thereby
producing a peculiar drumming sound, which is said to be
much clearer than the well-known drumming of the Ruffed
Grouse. These sounds can be heard at a considerable dis-
tance from the place where they are made.
The female constructs a nest of a bed of dry twigs,
leaves, and mosses, which is usually carefully concealed, on
the ground and under low horizontal branches of fir-trees.
The number of eggs is said to vary from eight to eighteen
in number. It is imagined by the common people that
where more than ten eggs are found in the same nest they
arc the ])roduct of two females, who aid each other in
their charge. The eggs are described by Audubon as of a
deep fawn-color, irregularly splashed with different tints of
brown. They have but a single brood in a season, and the
young follow the mother as soon as they leave the shell.
As soon as incubation commences, the males desert the
females and keep in small flocks by themselves, removing to
different woods, where they usually become much more shy
and wary than at any other season of the year. In their
movements on the ground these birds are said to resemble
our common Quail, rather than the Ruffed Grouse. They
do not jerk their tails in the manner of the latter bird, as
they walk, nor are they known to burrow in the snow ;
but when they are pursued they invariably take refuge in
trees, from which they cannot be readily made to fly.
When driven from one place of refuge to another, they
accompany their flight with a few clucks, an d those sounds
they repeat when they alight. When a flock thus alights,
it may all be readily secured by a little precaution and
132 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
pains. It is said that they are so unwary and regardless
of the near presence of man, that when thus in the imag-
ined shelter of a tree they will permit themselves to be
approached, the whole flock shot, or even knocked down
with a stick. Sometimes they may be all taken alive, one
after the other, by means of a noose affixed to the end of a
long pole. According to Audubon, the Canada Grouse in-
dicate the approach of rainy weather by retiring to roost
at an unusual time in the day, whenever a storm is im-
pending. If observed to fly up to their roost at midday,
it rarely fails to rain or snow before the evening ; and if,
on the contrary, they remain busily engaged in search of
food until sunset, the night and following morning are
pretty sure to be fresh and clear. The young of this Grouse
are very strong and active from the moment they are
hatched, and are able to fly at a very earl}^ age. When in
Labrador, Mr. Audubon almost walked, by accident, upon
a female Canada Grouse, surrounded by her young brood.
This was about the middle of July. The affrighted mother,
upon perceiving him, ruffled up all her feathers in the
manner of the common hen, and advanced close to him as
if determined to defend her offspring. Her distressed con-
dition claimed his forbearance, and she was allowed to
remain in safety. As soon as he retired she smoothed
down her plumage and uttered a tender maternal chuck,
when the little ones took to their wings with ease, though
they appeared to be not more than one week old. Mr.
Audubon found this " Grouse moulting as early as the
20th of July. At that period the young were generally
already able to fly fully a hundred yards in a single flight.
They alighted on low trees and were easily taken alive.
This Grouse feeds, in the summer, on berries of various
kinds, as well as upon the buds and leaves of several differ-
ent kinds of plants and shrubs. In the autumn they gorge
themselves with the berries of Solomon's Seal. At this
season their flesh is much the best. In the winter, when
they feed on the buds of the hackmatack and the spruce
and firs, and also upon the leaves of the spruces, as stated
SPRUCE PARTRIDGE ; CANADA GROUSE. 133
by Richardson, they have a bitter, disagreeable taste, and
are hardly fit to eat. This Grrouse may be readily kept in
confinement, and even made to breed there. Mr. Thomas
Lincoln, of Denny sville, fed some of them on oats, on which
food they appeared to thrive very well. The eggs of this
bird vary in length from 1,75 inches to 1,68, and in breadth
from 1,22 to 1,20 inches. Eggs taken at Fort Resolution,
by Mr. Kennicott, have a ground of a deep dull cream
color, shaded with ochre. They are of an oblong oval-shape,
speckled and marked with spots of a dark chestnut-color.
In these specimens the spots are larger towards the smaller
end.
IM PRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
COLUMBIA SHAEP-TAIL GEOUSE.
Pedioecetes phasianellus, Var, columbianus. — Baird.
!P. CHAE. — Prevailing colors yellowish-brown and
white ; ground-color of head and neck deep bufP.
Upper parts varigated with transverse spots of
black, and more or less tinged with rusty; scapulars
without longitudinal spots of white, wing-coverts and outer
webs of primaries with large conspicuous spots of pure
white, the former roundish, the lattor more quadrate.
Breast and sides with Y-shaped markings of pale yellow-
ish brown, bordered with dusk}^. Throat immaculate, or
only minutely speckled; feathers of tarsus short, the toes
completely bare. No appreciable difference between the
sexes.
Male (22,011, Simiahmoo, Washington Territory; Dr.
Kennerly.) Wing, 8, 00 ; tail, 4, 40, two middle feathers
one inch longer.
Female (19,173, Eose Briar Creek ; F. Y. Hayden.) Wing.
8, 80; tail, 4, (10.
Hab. — Plains and prairies of the United States, from Il-
linois and Wisconsin, West to Oregon, Nevada, etc.; South
to Colorado, New Mexico, etc. — ^^North American Birds.'' —
Baird, Brewer and Bidgway, Vol. III.
Habits. — The description of the habits of this Grouse, is
as described in the North American Birds, by Baird, Brewer
and Eidgway. They state : " This species is the more
Southern of the two varieties of Sharp-Tailed Grouse found
in North America. Owing to the confusion which has ex-
isted until recently, in which both the Northern and South-
ern races have been considered as one, the geographical
distribution of each may not be deiined with complete ex-
COLUMBIA SHARP-TAIL GROUSE. 135
actness. The present form is found in Illinois and Wis-
consin, and westward to Oregon and Washington Terri-
tory, and as far to the North as British Columbia and the
Southern portion of the Saskatchewan Valley. Dr. New-
berry found this Grouse associated with the Prairie Chicken
on the prairies bordering on the Mississippi and the Mis-
souri, and frequently confounded with that bird, though
readily distinguishable by its lighter plumage, its speckled
breast, and smaller size. It is always the least abundant
of the two species, when found together. The range of this
Grouse extends much farther westward; the cupido being-
limited to the Valley of the Mississippi, while the former
is found as far West as the Valleys of California. North
of San Francisco his party first found it on a prairie near
Canoe Creek, fifty miles north east of Fort Eeading; sub-
sequently, on a level grass-covered plain in the upper canon
of Pitt Eiver, these birds were met in great abundance.
They were also found about Klamath Lakes and in the Des
Chutes Basin, as far as the Dalles. The flesh was very
much like that of the Prairie Chicken. This bird is said
to lie close, and when flushed to fly off, uttering a constantly
repeated kuck-kuck-kuck, moving with steadiness and con-
siderable swiftness. It is, however, easily killed. The
young birds are fat and tender, and as they fall on the
grassy prairie scatter their feathers, as if torn to pieces.
According to Dr. SucKley, the Sharp-Tailed Grouse entirely
replaces the Pinnated Grouse in Washington Territory.
He first noticed it near old Fort Union, at the mouth of
the Yellowstone Eiver. From that point to the Cascade
Mountains of Oregon and Washington Territory it was ex-
ceedingly abundant wherever there was open country and
a suflSciency of food. In certain places they were in great
numbers in the autumn, congregating in large flocks, espe-
cially in the vicinity of patches of wild rye, and more re-
cently near settlements where there were wheat stubbles.
They resemble the Pinnated Grouse in habits. Where
they are numerous, they may frequently be found, on cold
mornings in the Autumn or early Winter, perched on fences
136 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
or on leafless trees, sunning themselves in the early sun-
light. At Fort Dallas a young bird, scarcely two days old,
was found on the first of April. This early incubation seems
to prove that they must have more than one brood in a
season. The young Grouse was confided to the charge of
a Hen with a brood of young Chickens ; but it refused to
associate with them, and escaped, probably to perish of
cold. Dr. Cooper adds that this Grouse is found in Wash-
ington Territory only in the low alluvial prairies of the
streams emptying into the Columbia East of the Cascade
Mountains, where it was found in flocks of several hun-
dreds. They shun high grounds and- forests entirely. The
only cry he ever heard them utter was a cackle when sud-
denl}^ started from the ground. Their wings make a loud
whirring, as among others of this family. Mr. J. K. Lord
found this species abundantly distributed on the western
slope of the Eocky Mountains, ranging right and left of
the 49th parallel. It was particularly numerous on the
plains near the Kootanie Eiver, round Osoyoos Lakes, and
in the Valley of the Columbia. He did not meet with any
on the western side of the Casscade Eange. It is also found
in the Eed Eiver settlements and in Northern Minnesota.
"Mr. Elliott is quite in error in stating that this Grouse
does not occur East of the Mississippi, as it is found nearly
throughout Northern Illinois and Southern Wisconsin. I
have seen a flock within thirty milel^ of Chicago, and have
from time to time had their eggs from Dane county, Wis-
consin. Mr. Lord regards this Grouse as remarkable both
for its field qualities, such as lying well to a dog, rising
with a loud rattling whir, frequenting open grassy prai-
ries, and flying as straight as an arrow, and for its excel-
lence as a table dainty. For delicacy of flavor its flesh is
unequaled. With the fur traders this species is known as
the Spotted Chicken, and is, furthermore, the Skis-kin of the
Kootanie Indians. Its singular combination of colors —
white, black, and brownish yellow — makes it exactly re-
semble the ground on which it lives, and admirably har-
monizes with the dead twigs and leaves of the artemisia,
COLUMBIA SHARP-TAIL GROUSE. 137
the dry and^sandj- soil, the brown on the withered bunch-
grass, and the sombre colored lichens of the rocks. It often
requires a keen and practised eye to distinguish one of
these birds from the ground on which it has fallen, even
though the eye be kept on the spot where it was seen to
fall. This similarity of colors with those of the prairie no
doubt effectually conceals them from the hawks and owls.
Its favorite haunt is on open grassy plains in the morning,
keeping concealed in the long thick grass, coming about
mid-day to the stream to drink, and to dust itself in the
sandy banks. It seldom goes into the timber, always re-
mains close to the prairie, and never retires into the depth
of the forests. It lays its eggs on the open prairie in a tuft
of grass, or near the foot of a small hillock, nesting early
in Spring, and depositing from twelve to fourteen eggs.
The nest is a mere hole scratched in the earth, with a few
grass stalks and root fibres laid carelessly and loosely over
the bottom. Mr. Lord describes the eggs as of a dark rusty-
brown, with small splashes or speckles of darker brown
thickly spattered over them. After nesting time they ap-
pear in broods about the middle of August, the young birds
being about two-thirds grown. At this time they frequent
the margins of small streams where there is thin timber
and underbrush. After the middle of September they begin
to pack, two or three covies getting together, and flock
after flock joining until they accumulate into hundreds. .
On the first appearance of snow they begin to perch on
the dead branches of a pine or the tops of fences. 'Near
Fort Colville, after snow fell, they assembled in vast num-
bers in the large wheat stubbles. They became wary and
shy, the snow rendering every moving thing so conspicu-
ous that it was next to impossible for dogs to hunt them.
The food of this Grouse consists principally of berries in
the Summer months, such as the snowberry, the bearberry,
the haws of the wild rose, and the whortleberry, grain, the
larvae of insects, grass seeds, etc. In the Winter they run
over the snow with ease and celerity, dig holes in it, and
burrow underneath in the manner of a Ptarmigan. During
18
138 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
the two winters Mr. Lord spent at Colville, flocks of these
birds congregated around the hay ricks at their mule
camp. In a temperature often 30° and more below zero,
and the snow several feet deep, they were strong, fat, and
wild, and did not appear to suffer at all from the intense
cold. Indeed, they are said to pair very early in the Spring,
long before the snow has gone off the ground, and their
meeting is preceded by some very singular performances,
which are called by the fur traders chicken-dances, to sev-
eral of which Mr. Lord was an eye-witness. Groups of
these birds assembled for their dances either about sunrise
or late in the afternoon, selecting for the purpose a high
round topped mound, which in the course of their evolu-
tion becomes worn quite bare. At one of .the dances wit-
nessed b}^ Mr. Lord there were about twenty birds present;
the birds nearest him were head to head, like game-cocks
in fighting attitude, — the neck feathers ruffed up, the little
sharp tail elevated straight on end, the wings dropped
close to the ground, but keeping up a rapid vibration or
continued drumming sound. They circled round and
round each other in slow waltzing time, always maintain-
ing the same attitude, but never striking at each other.
Sometimes the pace increased, and one pursued the other
until the latter faced about. Others jumped about two
feet in the air until out of breath, and then strutted about
in a peculiar manner; and others went marching about
with tails and heads as high up as they could get them.
Captain Blakiston states that on the Saskatchewan this
species was very generally distributed throughout the in-
terior. He met with it just below the forks of the Sas-
katchewan, and traced it to the western base of the Eocky
Mountains. He found it breeding at Fort Carlton. He
regards these birds as of polygamous habits. In the Fall
they are found in families, in the semi-wooded country
bordering on the prairies. They perch on trees, frequently
at the very top, and their crops are found stuffed out with
berries. These are chiefly the fruit of the bearberry, the
ground juniper, the snowberry, the small prairie roses,
COLUMBIA SHARP-TAIL GROUSE. 139
the buifaloberry, and several kinds of buds. They have
also been known to feed on caterpillars and other insects
baked and crisped by prairie fires. Captain Blakiston was
also an eye witness of one of the singular love performances
of these birds, known as dances. His account of it, which
is very full, is almost exactly in correspondence with the
account referred to as given by Mr. Lord.
Mr. Ridgway met with this Grouse at one locality only,
encountering them late in September in the Upper Hum-
boldt Valley. There it was found in considerable numbers
in the rye-grass meadows on the foot-slopes of the Clover
Mountains. They were startled from the ground, where
they were hidden in the grass, and when surprised fre-
quently took refuge in the willow-thickets along the
streams near by. Their flesh was found to be most excel-
lent. The eggs of this species vary considerably in size,
but average about 1,80 inches in length, and 1,30 in breadth.
They are oval in shape, slightly pointed at one end. Their
ground varies from a light clay to a dark rusty brown,
generally plain, but frequently speckled minutely with
fine dottings of a darker brown.
140 FRANK SCHLEY'S PAETRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
PEAIEIE HEN; PEAIEIE CHICKEN; PINNATED
(tEOUSE.
Cupidonia cupido, Var, cupido. — Baibd.
|P. CUAK— Male (10,006, Tremont, Illinois; W. I.
Shaw.") r^round-eolor above ochraceous-brown, ting-
^^' ed with grayish ; beneath white, the feathers of the
jngiiluni dark rusty-chestnut beneath the surface.
Head most deep buff. Upper parts much broken by broad
transverse spots, or irregular bars, of deep black, this
color predominating largely over the lighter tints. Pri-
maries and tail plain dusky ; the former with roundish spots
of pale orchraceous on outer webs, the latter very narrowly
tipped with white. Lower parts with regular, continuous,
sharply defined broad bars, on narrow bands, of clear
dusky-brown. A broad stripe of plain brownish-black on
side of head, beneath the eye, from rictus to end of auri-
culars ; a blotch of the same beneath the middle of the
auriculars, and the top of the head mostly blackish, leav-
ing a broad superciliary and maxillary stripe, and the
whole throat immaculate buff. Neck-tults [3,50 inches
long, deep black; the longer ones uniform, the shorter
with only the edge black, the whole middle portion pale
buff, shading into deep reddish-rusty next to the black.
Wing, 9,00; tail, 4,50; bill, .40 deep, by .50 long, from nos-
tril ; tarsus, 2,10; middle toe, 1,85.
Female similar, but with shorter and inconspicuous cer-
vical tufts. Young (25,998, Eockford, Illinois; Blackman.)
Above, including tail, yellowish-brown ; feathers with con-
spicuous white shaft streaks and large blotches of deep
black. Outer webs of primaries with whitish spots. Top
of head rusty-brown with a black vertical and a dusky
PRAIRIE HEN ; PRAIRIE CHICKEN ; PINNATED GROUSE. 141
auricular patch. Lower parts yellowish-white, with irreg-
ular defined, transverse, grayish-brown broad bars ; ante-
riorly more spotted, the jugulum tinged with brown.
Chick (25,989, Rockford, Illinois.) Bright lemon-buff,
tinged on sides and jugulum with reddish ; upper parts
much washed with rusty. A narrow auricular streak,
blotches on the vertex and occiput, a stripe across the
shoulder, and blotches down the middle of the back and
rump, deep black.
Hab. — Prairies of the Mississippi Valley, from Louisiana,
northward. East to Pocono Mountains, Pennsylvania.
Formerly along the eastern coast of the United States
from Long Island to Cape Cod, or farther. A few still
left on Naushon (?) and Martha's Vineyard.
A pair from Calcasieu Pass, Louisiana, most resemble
Illinois specimens, but are smaller, (wing, 8,60, instead of
9,00,) and there is rather more reddish, with less black, in
the plumage.
Habits. — The Pinnated Grouse, more generally known
through the country as the Prairie Chicken or Prairie Hen,
once occurred as far to the East as Massachusetts, a few
still remaining on the Island of Martha's Vineyard, and
where it was, in the early settlementof the country, a very
abundant bird; and to the Southwest to Texas and
throughout the Indian Territory, where it appears to be
extending with the areas developed by civilization, while
at the East this bird has almost entirely disappeared, in
(consequence of the increase of population, and except here
and there in a few small and distant districts has disap-
peared from the Middle and Eastern States; at the West
and Southwest it has greatly extended its distribution,
appearing in considerable numbers, and constantly increas-
ing as the country is settled and the land cultivated with
grain. Even in Illinois, where there has been a large in-
crease of population during the past ten years, these birds
are known to have become much more numerous. It is,
however, probable that they will again be driven from this
region when the population becomes quite dense. Mr.
142 PRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
Allen met with this species in several points in Kansas and
in Colorado, where they had either just made their appear-
ance, or where they had recently been noticed, and were
observed to be on the increase. The small remnants left
in Massachusetts are protected by law, which may pre-
serve them a few years longer; and in Illinois and other
Western States stringent provisions seek to prevent their
wanton destruction. In Michigan, according to Mr. D. D.
Hughes, this Grrouse is common in the two Southern tiers
of counties, but is rarely met with in that State farther
North — an absence attributable to the want of open coun-
try and suitable food, as West of Lake Michigan it is found
in great abundance much farther North. In the more
Southern portion of the State it is already very rare, and
in localities completely exterminated. Dr. Woodhouse
found this bird quite abundant throughout the Indian Terri-
tory; more numerous, however, in the vicinity of settle-
ments. During the Fall of 1849, as he was passing down
the Arkansas Eiver, along the road leading from Fort Gib-
son to Fort Smith, these birds were in large flocks, feeding
among the oaks upon the acorns ; hundreds were to be seen
at the same time. It was also very common throughout
Eastern Texas. Mr. Dresser found the Pinnated Grouse
very common in travelling from Brownsville to Victoria,
after leaving the Chaparral and entering the Prairie coun-
try. Throughout the whole of the prairie country of
Texas it is abundant. They were found by Mr. Audubon
especially abundant in the States of Kentucky, Missouri,
Illinois, and Indiana, where his observations date back
more than half a century, and when the country was com-
paratively unsettled. It was there, he states, in what was
then known as the Barrens of Kentucky, that before sun-
rise, or at the close of the day, he "heard its curious boom-
ing, witnessed its obstinate battles, watched it during the
progress of its courtships, noted its nest and eggs, and fol-
lowed its young until, fully grown, the^^ betook themselves
to winter quarters." When he first removed to Kentucky
the Pinnated Grouse were so plentiful, and were held in
PRAIRIE HEN ; PRAIRIE CHICKEN ; PINNATED GROUSE. 143
such low estimation, that no hunter deigned to shoot them.
They were, moreover, looked upon with ill-favor by the
inhabitants on account of the mischief the}^ committed
among the fruit trees of the orchards during Winter, when
they feed upon the buds, or in the Spring, when they con-
sumed the grain in the fields. In those days, in the Win-
ter, this Grouse would enter the farm-yard and feed among
the poultry, would even alight on the house-tops or walk
in the streets of the villages. On one occasion he caught
several alive in a stable at Henderson, where they had fol-
lowed some Wild Turkeys. Twenty-five years later, Mr.
Audubon adds, in the same country where they had been
so very abundant, scarcely one could be found. Mr. Audu-
bon speaks of their selling in Eastern markets, in 1840, at
from five to ten dollars per pair. This is so no longer, fa-
cilities in railroad transportation and their continued abun-
dance at the West rendering them a comparatively plentiful
and cheap article of food. Mr. Audubon mentions that at
the same period they were still to be met with in some
portions of New Jersey, in the "bushy" plains of Long
Island, on Mount Desert Island in the State of Maine, and
also in another tract of barren country near Mar's Hill in
the same State. In regard to the two last named localities
he may have been misinformed. Mr. Lawrence mentions
this species as still occurring in the vicinity of New York
City. Mr. TurnbuU mentioned it as now very rare, but
occasionally met with in the counties of Monroe and North-
ampton in Pennsylvania, and on the plains in New Jersey.
It is not referred to by either Professor Yerrill or Mr.
Board man as occurring in any part of Maine. It is, how-
ever, given by Mr. Mcllwraith as an occasional visitor near
Hamilton, in Canada, on the western frontier, a few indi-
viduals being occasionally observed along the banks of the
St. Clair Eiver, but not known to occur farther East. Mr.
Audubon also mentions having found these birds abundant
in all the vast plains bordering on the j)rairies of the Ar-
kansas Kiver, and on those of the Opelousas in Louisiana.
In the earliest days of Spring, even before the snows have
^144 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
all been melted, these birds no longer keep in large flocks,
but separate into smaller parties, and the mating-season
commences, during which their manners, especially those
of the male, are very peculiar and striking. A particular
locality is selected, to which they resort until incubation
has commenced. The males meet in this place, and engage
in furious battle with one another. At this season they are
especially conspicuous for their great pomposity of bearing ;
with tails outspread and inclined forward to meet the ex-
panded feathers of their neck, and with the globular,
orange-colored, bladder-like receptacles of air on their
necks distended to their utmost capacity, and issuing a pe-
culiar sound, spoken of as booming, these birds strut about
in the presence of one another with various manifestations
of jealous dislike and animosity, soon ending in furious
contests. Their wings are declined, in the manner of the
Cock-Turkey, and rustle on the ground as the birds pass
and repass in a rapid manner; their bodies are depressed,
and their notes indicate their intense excitement. Upon
the appearance of a female answering to their calls, they
at once engage in their desperate encounters. They rise
in the air and strike at one another in the manner of a
Game Cock, and several engage in a miscellaneous scrim-
mage, until the weaker give waj^, and, one after another,
seek refuge in the neighboring bushes, the few remaining
victors discontinuing their contests as if from sheer ex-
haustion. The "booming" or "tooting" sounds made by
these birds is heard before daybreak, and also at all hours
before sunset, in places where they are abundant and tame ;
but where they are rare and wild they are seldom heard
after sunrise, and their meetings then are in silence. Even
in the Fall the young males evince their natural pugnacity
by engaging in short battles, which their parents usually
interrupt and put a stop to. This bird nests, according to
the locality in which it is met with, from the beginning of
April to the last of May. In Kentucky, Mr. Audubon has
found their nests with eggs early in April, but the average
period there was the first of May. Their nests he describes
PRAIRIIJ HEN ; PRAIRIE CHICKEN ; PINNATED GROUSE. 145
as somewhat carelessly formed of dry leaves and grasses,
interwoven in a tolerably neat manner, and always very
carefully placed among the tall grass of some large tuft in
the open ground of the prairies, or, in barren lands, at the
foot of a small bush. The eggs are said to be from eight
to twelve in number, never more; they are larger and
more spherical than those of the common umbellus, and are
of a darker shade. The female sits upon them about
twenty days, and as soon as the young can extricate them*
selves from the shell the mother leads them away, the male
having previously left her. Early in the Fall the various
broods begin again to associate together, and at the ap-
proach of Winter it is not uncommon to see them in flocks
of several hundred individuals. The young broods, when
come upon suddenly and taken by surprise, instantly scat-
ter and squat close to the ground, so that, without a dog,
it is impossible to find them. The mother gives a single
loud chuck as a signal of danger, and the young birds rise
an the wing and fly a few yards in diff'erent directions, and
then keep themselves perfectly still and quiet until the
mother recalls them by a signal indicating that the peril
has passed. In the meanwhile she resorts to various de-
vices to .draw the intruder away from the place. This
Grouse raises but a single brood in a season ; and if the
first laying has been destroyed or taken, the female seeks
out her mate, makes another nest, and produces another
set of eggs. These are usually smaller in size and less in
number than those of her first laying. The Pinnated
Grouse is said to be easily tamed, and may be readily do-
mesticated, though I do not know that the experiment has
been thoroughly tried. Mr. Audubon once kept sixty of
them in a garden near Henderson, Ky. Within a week
they became tame enough to allow him to approach them
without being frightened. He supplied them with abun-
dance of corn and other food. In the course of the Winter
they became so gentle as to feed from the hand, and walked
about his garden like so many tame fowl, mingling occa-
sionally with the poultry. In the Spring they strutted,
19
146 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
*'tooted" and fought as if in their wild state. Many eggs
were deposited, and a number of young birds were hatched
out; but they proved so destructive to the vegetables that
the experiment was given up and the Grouse were killed.
The male birds were conspicuous for their courage, and
would engage in contest with the Turkey-Cocks, and even
with the Dung-Hill Cock, rather than yield the ground.
In severe weather these birds have been known to roost in
trees, but they generally prefer to rest on the ground. Ad-
vantage is sometimes taken to secure them by visiting their
resting-places in the night with nets. On the ground they
walk somewhat in the manner of the common Hen, but in
a more erect attitude. When surprised, they rise with a
whirring sound ; but if they perceive the approach of any
one at a sufficient distance, they run off with considerable
speed, and hide by squatting in the grass or among bushes.
They are fond of dusting themselves in ploughed fields or
in dusty roads, rearranging their feathers in the manner of
the Wild Turkey. When the female, with her young brood,
is surprised, she instantly ruffles up her feathers, and acts
as if she contemplated flying in your face ; this she rarely,
if ever, attemps, but resorts to various artifices to decoy
the intruder away. Their flight is said to be strong, regu-
lar, and swift, and may be protracted to the distance of
several miles. It is less rapid than that of the umbellus,
and the whirring, as they rise from the ground, less con-
spicuous. As they rise, the}" utter four or five very distinct
clucks, but at times fly in silence. Their flesh is dark, and
the flavor is very distinctly gamy, and is generally re-
garded as excellent. In the love-season the males inflate
the two remarkable air bladders, which, in color and shape,
resemble small oranges, lower their heads to the ground^
open their bills, and give utterance to very singular and
distinctly separated notes, by means of the air contained
in those receptacles, rolling somewhat in the manner of the
beatings of a muffled drum. The air-reservoirs are alter-
nately filled and emptied as they make these sounds. Their
notes may be heard to the distance of nearly a mile.
PRAIRIE HEN ; PRAIRIE CHICKEN ; PINNATED GROUSE. 147
When these skins are punctured, they are no longer reso-
nant. The late Mr. David Eckby, of Boston, furnished
Mr. Audubon with a full account of their habits, as observed
by him in Martha's Vineyard, and also on the Island of
Nashawena, where they were then kept in a preserve.
They were observed never to settle down where the woods
were thick or the bushes tangled, but invariably in the
open spaces; and as they never start up from the thick
foliage, but always seek to disengage themselves from all
embarrassment in their flight by reaching the nearest open
space, they offer to the sportsman a very fair mark. The
sound they utter in rising, when hard pressed, is said to re-
semble the syllables coo-coo-coo. They were observed to
feed on the berries of the barberry, which abound on those
islands, boxberries, cranberries, the buds of roses, pines,
and alders, and on the nuts of the post oaks, and in the
Summer upon the more esculent berries. At the West they
frequently feed on the seeds of the sumach. They are also
very destructive to the buds of the apple, and are very
fond of the fruit of the fox grape and the leaves and ber-
ries of the mistletoe. During the planting-season their
visits to the wheat and corn-fields are often productive of
great damage. Three eggs in my collection, taken from a
nest near Osage Village, in Indian Territory, which con-
tained sixteen eggs, measure, one 1,65, by 1,20 inches;
another 1,63 by 1,28; and the third 1,75 by 1,28 inches.
They are of a rounded-oval shape, more obtuse at one end
than the other, and of a uniform color, which varies from
a light clay-color to a dark tawny-brown. The eggs are
sometimes, but not always, minutely sprinkled with brown.
— Vol. III.^ Baird, Brewer and Ridgway.
148 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
FEANKLIN'S GEOUSE.
Canace canadensis, Var. franklini.— Duglass
ift^ABITS. — From the Eocky Mountains to the Pacific,
and from Oregon to high northern latitudes, this
*^^ variety replaces the common Spruce Partridge of the
Eastern Continent. Sir John Eichardson, as well
as Mr. Drummond, regarded these birds as only a western
variety of the canadensis. The latter, who had ample op-
portunities for studying the manners of both, was unable
to perceive any difference between them. Mr. Douglas
took a different view, though he admitted that their habits
were essentially the same. Swainson also regarded the
two birds as a distinct species. This variety is stated by
Eichardson to inhabit the valleys of the Eocky Mountains,
from the sources of the Missouri to those of the Mackenzie ;
and on the authority of Mr. Douglas, it is also to be seen
sparingly on the elevated platforms that skirt the snowy
peaks of Mount Hood, Mount St. Helens, and of Mount
Baker, where it is said to run over the shattered rocks
and among the brush-wood with amazing speed, only
using its wings as a last effort to escape. Mr. Douglas also
states that it makes its nest on the ground, of dried leaves
and grass, not unfrequently at the foot of decayed stumps,
or by the side of fallen timber in the mountain woods.
The eggs are incorrectly described as of a dingy white-
ness, and as smaller thanHhose of the European Columha
palumhus.
Dr. Suckley found this Grouse abundant in the Eocky
as well as in the Bitterroot and the Cascade Mountains,
and in Washington Territory, near the Yakima Passes.
It is known to the Indians as the Tyee-kulla-kulla, meaning
the gentleman-bird. It was only ^found plentiful in the
franklin's grouse. 149
eastern portion of Washington Territory. Specimens of
this species, sent by Dr. Suckley to the Smithsonian Insti-
tution, were procured by Mullan in St. Mary's Valley,
in the Eocky Mountains. They were quite common in
that region, and were readily obtainable, as they were
very tame and unsuspicious. Mr. George Gihbs informed
Dr. Suckley that in November, 1847, he obtained in the
Willamette Valley a small Grouse that may probably be
referred to this species.
Mr. Lord thinks that this species is rarely found west of
the Cascades ; but on the Eastern side and along the whole
district lying between the Cascades and the Eocky Moun-
tains it is common, always keeping among the mountains,
to the height of seven thousand feet. He regards them as
one of the most stupid of birds. When several are flushed
together, they fly up into the nearest pine tree, from which
you cannot frighten them with sticks and stones. He has
often shot several in a tree where there were others with-
out the latter attempting to fly away. During the wintep
they remain in the deep woods and sheltered places, and
feed on the buds of the pines. They nest in early May,
and have chickens in June and July. He was of the opin-
ion that these birds do not pair; but from the large num-
ber of females, as compared with the males, he thinks they
are polygamists.
Captain Blakiston considers this variety to be confined
to the Eocky Mountains and the country between that
range and the Pacific. He met with it for the first time
while following an Indian trail through a thick pine
woods, from the summit of the Kootenay Pass into the
valley of the Flathead Eiver. The bird arose and perched
itself on a projecting branch, when he was at once struck
with the dissimilarity to the Canada Grouse, which was
made apparent by the whiteness of its flesh. Afterwards
he procured other specimens. He describes them as being
quite as unsuspicious and stupid as the Canada Grouse,
allowing themselves to be shot on the trees without mak-
ing any attempt to escsL^e.—Baird, Brewer and Eidgway.
150 FRANK SCHLEY'S PAETRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
DUSKY GEOUSE.
Canace obscurus, Var, obscurus. — Sat.
jABITS. — This species was first discovered and de-
scribed by Say in 1820, though its existence had
previously been known to the fur trappers. Its food
consists of various berries, and the flesh is said to be
very palatable.
Dr. Newberry pronounces this Grouse decidedly the
handsomest of all the American birds of this family ; its
flesh white, and fully equal to that of the eastern Kufl'ed
Grouse or Quail. It is said to inhabit the evergreen forests
exclusively, and to be found not uncommonly in the Sierra
Nevada, as well as in the wooded districts of the country
lying between^ the Sacramento valley and the Columbia,
In the Cascade Mountains Dr. Newberry found it associated
with the Euffed Grouse, which it resembles in habits more
than any other species. When on the ground they lie
very close, flying up from your very feet as you approach
them, and, when flushed, always take to a tree, from which
they cannot be dislodged except by shooting them. In the
Spring the male sits motionless on a branch of a pine or a
spruce, and utters a booming call, which, by its remark*
able ventriloquial powers, seems rather to mislead than to
direct the sportsman, unless he is experienced in shooting
this kind of Grouse.
Mr. George Gibbs informed Dr. Sucklej'- that he has met
with the Dusky Grouse as far South as the Russian River
Mountains, in California, and found it also common on the
east side of the Cascade, as far north as the 49th parallel.
Dr. Cooper's account of these birds is substantially simi-
lar to the account given by Dr. Suckley of the fuUginosu^,
DUSKY GROUSE. 151
He found it common in most of the forests, especially in
the dense spruce woods near the coast. It was rarely seen
on the open prairie. In the dense woods it was exceed-
ingly difficult to detect. During May, near the coast, and
till August, on the mountains, the low tooting of this
Grouse was heard everywhere, sounding something like
the cooing of a Pigeon, but in the same deep tone as the
drumming of the Euffed Grouse. Dr. Cooper also mentions
its remarkable powers of ventriloquism, so that while the
bird may be sitting on a tree directly over your head the
sound seems to come from places quite remote.
Dr. Woodhouse states that the Dusky Grouse is found
among the mountains about Santa Fe, in New Mexico.
This Grouse was first met with by Mr. Ridgway on the
Sierra Nevada, in the vicinity of Carson City, where it
was seen in the possession of Indians who had been hunt-
ing on the mountains. It was found on the East Hum-
boldt Mountains, in the month of September, and at that
time occurred in small flocks, consisting chiefly of young
birds, and probably composed of single families. After-
wards, in the summer of 1869, it was found in considerable
abundance in Parley's Park, a few miles from Salt Lake
City. It there chiefly inhabited the copses of scrub-oaks
along the lower border of coniferous woods. In July it
was found in the Uintah Mountains in very great abund-
ance, and for a while formed the chief subsistence of the
party. It was there known as the Mountain Grouse.
Nothing very distinctive was ascertained in regard to its
habits, except it was said to resemble very closely, in man-
ners, the Rufl*ed Grouse. Its flesh was excellent eating.
Dr. Suckley, in a series of papers on the Grouse of the
United States, which were read before the New York Ly-
ceum in I860, states that this species probably extend their
range to quite a distance south of latitude 40° along the
line of the Rocky Mountains, in New Mexico. This writer
claimed to have met with them near Pike's Peak, in the
Cheyenne Pass, and in 1853 he found them in great num-
bers in Lewis and Clarke's Pass, west of Port Benton. He
152 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
also found them abundantly in Oregon and on the slopes of
the cascade and coast ranges, extending wherever pine or
fir timber occurs, to the very borders of the ocean. The
Black Hills, in Nebraska, he gives as their most eastern
limit.
The same author corrects the statement of Douglas as to
certain habits of this species. The males are said not to
be particularly pugnacious, and very rarely forsake the
boughs of the pine or fir trees for a rocky eminence. They
feed on berries only during a brief season in autumn, at
all other times of the year subsisting upon the leaves of
the pine and fir, especially those of the Douglas Fir. This
food imparts a strong resinous flavor to the flesh of this
Gfrouse, which, however, is not unpleasant, and after
awhile becomes quite attractive to the epicure. The love-
notes of this bird are said to be deep, soft, plaintive, but
unmusical, and resemble the whirring sounds made by a
rattan, swung rapidly and in jerks through the air. These
notes usually begin the first week in March. The young
are able to fly feebly by the first of July. By the last of
August they have attained their full size. In the winter
they retire to the tops of the loftiest firs, where they pass
the season in an almost immovable state of hibernation..
Between July and winter they may be readily shot. Once
raised, they invariably fly to trees. They heed but little
the report of a gun unless they have been wounded. Their
flesh is said to be midway between the color of the Pinna-
ted and Eufl'ed Grouse, partaking of their good qualities,
but surpassing ejther.
The eggs of this species are oval in shape ; and one end
is a little more obtuse than the other. The ground is of a
pale cream-color, and is marked with small rounded spots
of reddish-brown. These are more numerous and lar^jer
towards the larger end. They measure 1.95 inches in
length, and 1.45 in hreadth. — Baird, Brexoer and Bidgway.
OREGON DUSKY GROUSE. 153
OEEGON DUSKY GEOUSE.
Canace obsciirus, Var, fuliginosus — Ridgwat.
JABITS. — This race is the more northern and north-
western coast form of the Dusky Grouse, and is
found from the Columbia Eiver and British Colum-
bia to Alaska. According to Dr. Suckley, it is gen-
erally known as the Blue Grouse in Oregon, and it is also
called the Pine Grouse, as well as the Dusky Grouse. He
met with it for the first time when his party had reached
the main chain of the Eocky Mountains, and where they
found it exceedingly abundant, as afterwards in the Blue
Mountains of Oregon, the Cascade Mountains, and in all
the timbered country between the Coast Eange and the
Pacific Ocean. About the middle of November these birds
are said to entirely disappear, and it is very rare to meet
with even a single individual between that period and the
20th of the following March. As to their whereabouts
during this period there is a great difference of opinion
among the settlers. Some maintain that they are migra-
tory and retire to the South. Others are of the opinion
that they retire to the tops of the highest evergreen trees,
where they pass the cold season in a state of partial torpor
among the thickest foliage of the branches. As these
birds are known to subsist on the leaves of the coniferce,
and can always obtain sufficient water from the snow and
rain-drops to supply their wants, Dr. Suckley was inclined
to favor the latter explanation of their absence. He saw
one of these birds on the ground during a fall of snow, in
.January, near the Nisqually Eiver, in Washington Terri-
tory, and he was informed that a hunter near Olympia,
whose eyesight was remarkably excellent, was able, any
20
154 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
day during the winter, to obtain several birds by searching
carefully for them' among the tree-tops of the tallest and
most thickly leaved firs. This requires much better eye-
sight than most men possess, for these birds are of a som-
bre hue, crowd very closely to the limb, and sit there im-
movable. They are therefore very difficult to find among
the dense branches.
The first indication of their presence in the spring is the
courting call of the male. This is a prolonged sound, re-
sembling the whir of a rattan cane moved rapidly through
the air. This is repeated several times with considerable
rapidity, and then stops for a brief interval. This is said
to be produced by the alternate inflation and contraction
of sacs, one on each side of the throat, which are usually
concealed by the feathers, and are covered by an orange-
colored, thick, corrugated skin. At Fort Steilacoom these
birds were very abundant during the spring and early
summer, and were mostly confined to the forests of firs.
Later in the season, and after hatching, they are more gen-
erally found on the ground in search of berries and seeds.
When alarmed, they seek safety among the dense foliage
of the trees, seeming instinctively to understand the ad-
vantage of thus hiding. He has known an entire flock of
five, concealed among the ferns and grass, to be shot one
hy one, without an attempt being made by a single indi-
vidual to fly. This Grouse is said to be a very fine table
bird, its pine taste only adding to its game-flavor. Their
full weight is from 2| to 3} pounds.
Dr. Cooper never met with the nest of eggs of either of
the races of the Dusky Grouse, but in June flocks of half-
grown young were killed by the Indians near Puget
Sound. In winter they were so rarely seen west of the
mountains that they arc believed to keep entirely in the
trees. In October, 1853, he saw a flock running through
the snow near the Spokane Plains, one of which was shot;
but he never afterwards met with any in the winter.
Mr. J. K. Lord found this Grouse almost exclusivelj' on
the western side of the Kocky Mountains. It appeared at
OREGON DUSKY GROUSE. 155
Vancouver, at Nisqiially, and along the banks of the Eraser
River, about the end of March, the male bird announcing
his coming by a kind of love-song. This is a booming
noise, repeated at short intervals, and so deceptive, that
Mr. Lord has often stood under the tree where the bird
was perched and imagined the sound came from a distance.
Mr. [N'uttall found this Grouse breeding in the shady
forests of the region of the Columbia, where he saw or
heard them throughout the summer. He describes the
tooting made by the male as resembling the sound caused
by blowing into the bung-hole of a barrel. They breed on
the ground, and are said to keep the brood together all
winter.
Townsend describes the eggs as numerous, of a cinere-
ous-brown color, blunt at both ends, and small for the bird.
The actions of the female, when the young are following
her, are said to be exactly similar to those of the Ruffed
Grouse, employing all the artifices of that bird in feigning
lameness, etc., to draw off intruders. — Baird, Brewer and
Ridgway.
156 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
EICHAKDSON'S DUSKY GEOUSE.
Canace obscurus, Var, richardsoni, — Douglas.
JABITS. — In regard to distinctive peculiarities in
habits and manners, of this form of Grrouse, if it
possesses any, our information is quite limited. In
its external markings and in size it appears to be
readily distinguishable from the T. obscurus, either specifi-
cally or as a well-marked interior race.
Mr. J. K. Lord refers to it in his account of the obscurus,
where he states that between the Cascades and the Eocky
Mountains the Dusky Grouse appears to be replaced by a
well-marked variety, if a not distinct species. In size it is
a trifle smaller, but the great mark of distinction is th6
entire absence of the white band at the end of the tail.
In their habits, in their periods of arrival and departure,
or rather of appearance and disappearance, the two varie-
ties are pronounced to be, in every respect, similar. In re-
gard to their unexplained disappearance and reappearance,
Mr. Lord is of the opinion that these birds do not migrate,
but only retire into the thickest trees, and, living on the
buds, pass the winter thus sheltered in the tree-tops.
Captain Blakiston thinks that this species is the form
that inhabits the interior of British North America, and
refers the figure of the male in Eichardson's Fauna to the
richardsoni — the Black-tailed and smaller species. In his
wanderings he met with these birds only in or near the
pine woods on the slopes of the Eocky Mountains ; but,
having killed only females, he could not feel certain of the
species. These Grouse range towards the Pacific as far as
the Cascade Mountains of Oregon and British Columbia,
and along the Eocky Mountains from the head- waters of
RICHARDSON'S DUSKY GROUSE. 157
the Platte to the Liard Kiver, a tributary of the Macken-
zie. When the ranges of the two species are fully defined,
he thinks the T. richardsoni will be found the more north-
em bird.
The eggs of Tetrao richardsoni are veiy similar, except
in size, to those of the obscurus, resembling them closely in
their ground-color, as well as in their markings. In the
specimens in the Cabinet of the Boston Natural History
Society the spots are smaller, a little less distinct, and less
numerous. The eggs are 1.75 inches in length and from
1.35 to 1.36 in breadth. — Baird, Brewer and Bidgway.
158 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
SAGE COCK; COCK OF THE PLAINS.
Controcercus urophasianus, (Bon)— Sw.
MABITS. — The Cock of the Plains appear to be con-
^1 fined to dry and sterile regions, from the Black
Hills to California and Oregon, and from British
Columbia nearly to Arizona, but only in those por-
tions of the Plains in which the Artemisia or sage abound.
It was met w^ith by Townsend for the first time about fifty
miles west of the Black Hills. He did not find them in the
valley of the Snake Kiver, but saw them again at Wallah-
Wallah, on the banks of the Columbia, and near the mouth
of the Lewis Eiver. He only found it on the plains that
produce the wormwood, on which plant it feeds, and in
consequence of which the flesh becomes so bitter that it is
unfit for food. It was very unsuspicious and easily ap-
proached, rarely flying unless hard pressed, and running
ahead at the distance of a few feet, clucking like the com-
mon Hen. When disturbed it would often run under the
horses' feet. According to his account it rises very clum-
sily, but, when once started, flies with great rapidity and
also to a great distance. It is said to have the sailing mo-
tion of the Pinnated Grouse. They are abundant in au-
tumn on the branches of the Columbia, at which time they
are regarded as g:)od food by the natives, and are taken
in great quantities in nets.
Mr. Nuttall met with this Grouse in considerable num-
bers on the north branch of the Platte. They were always
on the ground in small flocks or pairs, by no means shy ;
but when too nearl^^ approached, uttering a rather loud but
?<hort guttural cackle, and rising with a strong whirring
sound. Their notes, at times, strongly resemble those of
SAGE COCK ; COCK OF THE PLAINS. 159
the common Hen. He never met with them in any forest,
nor have they been taken near the coast of California.
This species was first obtained by Lewis and Clarke's
party in their expedition to the Eoeky Mountains. It was
afterT,\:ard8 met with by Douglas, who published in the
Linnsean Transactions (XVI, p. 133), an account of its
habits. He described its flight a slow, unsteady, and as
affording but little amusement to the sportsman ; being a
succession of flutterings, rather than anything else. They
rise hurriedly, giving two or three flaps of the wing, swing-
ing from side to side in their movement, and gradually
falling, making a whirring sound, at the same time utter-
ing a cry of cuck-cuck-cuck, like the common Pheasant.
They pair in March and April.
At the mating-season the male is said to select some
small eminence on the banks of streams for the very sin-
gular performance it goes through with at that period in
the presence of its mate. The wings are lowered and drag-
ged on the ground, making a buzzing sound ; the tail,
somewhat erect, is spread like a fan, the bare and yellow
oesophagus is inflated to a prodigious size, and said to be-
come nearly half as large as its body, while the silky flex-
ile feathers on the neck are erected. Assuming this gro-
tesque form, the bird proceeds to display a singular variety
of attitudes, at the same time chanting a love-song in a
confused and grating, but not an offensively disagreeable
tone, represented as resembling hurr-hurr-hurr-r-r-r-hoo, end-
ing in a deep and hollow utterance.
Their nests were found, by Douglas, on the ground, un-
der the shade of Artemisia, or when near streams, among
Phalaris arundinacea, and were carefully constructed of dry
grass and slender twigs. The eggs are said to be as many
as from thirteen to seventeen in number, and the period of
incubation to be twenty-one or twenty-two days. The
young leave the nest soon after they are hatched.
In the winter these birds are said to be found in large
flocks of several hundreds, in the spring in pairs, and later
in the summer and fall in small family groups. They were
160 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
abundant throughout the barren arid plains of the Colum-
bia and in Northern California, but were not met with east
of the Kocky Mountains.
Dr. Newberry regards this Grouse, when in full plumage,
as rather a handsome bird, and much better looking than
any figure he has seen of it. It is much the largest of
American Grouse, weighing from five to six pounds. The
female is much smaller than the male, and is of a uniform
sober-brown color. The male bird has a distinctive char-
acter in the spaces of bare orange-colored skin which oc-
cupy the sides of the neck, and are usually concealed by
the feathers, but may be inflated to a great size. The spe-
cies was not found in the Valleys of California, but belongs
both to the fauna of the interior basin and to that of the
Rocky Mountains, the dry desert country lying on both
flanks of this chain. He first found it high up on Pit
River, and once came suddenly upon a male in an oasis
near a warm spring, which started up with a great flutter
and rush, and, uttering a hoarse hek-hek, flew ofi" with an
irregular but remarkably well-sustained flight, which was
continued until the bird was out of sight. In searching
around he soon found its mate, which rose from under a
sage-bush with a noise like a whirlwind. This specimen
was secured, and these birds were afterwards found to be
quite abundant, but very strong-winged and difficult to
kill. It was no uncommon thing. Dr. Kennerly states, for
him to pour a full charge of shot into them at a short
distance, dislodging a quantity of feathers, and yet to have
them fly off" to so great a distance before they dropped that
he could not follow them. He found them only in the vi-
cinity" of the bugc-bushes, under which they were usually
concealed. He afterwards saw them very abundant on
the shores of Wright and Rhett Lake. In one instance
he observed a male bird to sink down on the ground, as the
train approached, depressing its head, and lying as motion-
less as a stick, which it greatly resembled. As he moved
towards it, the bird lowered its head until it rested on the
ground, and made itself as small as possible, and did not
SAGE COCK ; COCK 0¥ THE PLAINS. 161
»
rise until he had arrived within fifteen feet of it. We^t of
the Cascade Range it did not occur, and all its preferences
and habits seemed to fit it for the occupancy of the sterile
region of the central desert. Its flesh is dark and highly
flavored with the wormwood. The young, if parboiled
and stewed, are said to be quite good ; but, on the whole,
this Grouse is inferior for the table to any other American
8i>ecies.
Dr. Cooper gives this bird as common in Washington
Territorj^, on the high barren hills and deserts east of the
Cascade Mountains, and limited in its range by the growth
of the Artemisia tridentata, the leaves of which shrub seem
to be the principal part of its food ; the flesh tasting so
strongly of it as to be unpalatable. He saw none north of
the Spokane Plains, the country being apparently too
woody. On those plains they were very common. He
describes its flight as more heavy and less noisy than that
of most Grouse, and when they are started, it commonly
extends a long distance before alighting.
Dr. Suckley found the Sage-Cock abundant on the plains
of Oregon, near Snake River, on both sides of the Blue
Mountains, as also along the line of the Columbia, on the
open plains, and on the sage-barrens of the Yakima and
Simcoe Yalleys, — in fact, wherever the artemisia was found.
The leaves of this shrub either are preferred or are neces-
sary to its existence, for no other food was found in their
full stomachs, even in localities where abundance of grass
seed, wild grain, grass hoppers, and other kinds of food,
might be found. This species has apparently the power of
going a long while without water. Lieutenant Fleming
informed Dr. Suckley that he found them about twelve miles
west of Fort Laramie, but thej^ were not seen east of that
])oint so far south. In August, 1853, one was procured
about two hundred miles east of the Rocky Mountains.
He also observed a small flock on the plains bordering on
Milk River, in Nebraska. Near Soda Lake, the sink of
the Mohave River, Dr. Cooper met it, which is without
21
162 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
doubt the most southern point at which it has been disco-
vered.
Dr. Coues has never met with it in Arizona.
Mr. Ridgway encountered it everywhere in the Great
Basin where there was a thrifty growth of the artemisia,
Avhieh appears everywhere to regulate its existence. He
corroborates the account given of its heavy, lumbering
flight; and when it has once escaped, it flies so far that
the sportsman rarely has a second opportunity to flush it.
It rises apparently with great effort. He was told by the
settlers of Nevada and Utah that the Sage-Hen was never
known to touch grain of any kind, even when found in
the vicinity of grain fields. This is attributed to a very
curious anatomical peculiarity of the species, — the entire
absence of a gizzard ; having instead a soft membraneous
stomach, rendering it impossible to digest any hard food.
In a large number of specimens dissected, nothing was
found but grass-hoppers and leaves of the artemisia.
Two eggs in my cabinet, from Utah, measure, one 2.20
by 1.50 inches, and the other 2.15 by 1.45. They are of
an elongate-oval shape, slightly pointed at one end.
Their ground color varies from a light-greenish drab to a
drab shaded with buff. They are thickly freckled with
small rounded spots of reddish brown> and dark chestnut.
— Balr>L Brewer and Eidgivay.
SHARP-TAILED GROUSE. . 163
SHAEP-TAILED GEOUSE.
' Pedioecetes phasianellus, Var, phasianellus. —Elliot.
Habits.— The Arctic form of the Sharp-tailed Grrouse
is found throughout the Arctic regions, from Alaska
southward and eastward to an extent not fully as-
certained. Mr. Dall states that this variety is not
uncommen at Fort Yukon, where Mr. Lockhart found it
breeding and obtained its eggs. It has also been seen some
two hundred miles down the river, but it is said not to be
found below the canon known as the Eamparts. Captain
Ketchum, in his adventurous winter trip from Nulato to
Fort Yukon, is said to have killed several of these birds.
Specimens are in the Smithsonian Museum from Moose
Factory and elsewhere along the southern part of Hudson's
Bay, and it is said to be abundant about Nipigon Lake,
north of Lake Superior.
Mr. Kennicott found the nest of this bird at Fort Yukon,
at the foot of a clump of dwarf willows. It was in dry
ground, and in a region in which these willows abounded
and were quite thickly interspersed with other trees, espe-
cially small spruces, but no large growth. The nest is said
to have been similar to that of Cupidonia cupido. Mr. Lock-
hart also found it breeding in the same region. The nests
seen by him were likewise built on a rising ground under
a few small willows.
Eichardson assigns as the northern limit of this species
the region of the Great Slave Lake, latitude 61° and as its
most southern point latitude 41°. It was found in abund-
ance on the outskirts of the Saskatchewan plains, and
throughout the wooded districts of the fur countries, fre-
quenting the open glades or low thickets on the borders
164 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
of lakes, especially where the forests have been partially
cleared; perching on trees in the winter, but keeping to the
ground in summer; and, at all seasons, met with in small
flocks of from ten to sixteen. They are said, early in
spring, to select some level place, where a covey meets
every morning and runs round in a circle of about twenty
feet in diameter, so that the grass is worn quite bare. If
anj- one approaches this circle, the birds squat close to the
ground ; but if not alarmed by a too near approach, they
soon stretch out their necks to survey the intruder, and
resume their circular course, some running to the right
and others to the left, meeting and crossing each other.
These "partridge-ilances" are said to last a month or moi*e,
or until the female begins to incubate. This Grouse rises
from the ground with the usual whirring noise, and alights
again at a distance of a few hundred yards, sometimes on
the ground or on the branches of a tree. In winter they
hide in the snow, and make their way with ease through
the loose, drifts, feeding on the buds of the willows, larches,
aspens, etc. In summer and autumn their food is princi-
pally berries. They are said to lay about thirteen eggs
early in June ; the nest being on the ground, formed of
grasses lined with feathers.
The eggs of this variety closely resemble those of the
cohfuibianvs, but are generally of a decidedly darker
ground. They average 1.75 inches in length by 1.28 in
breadth. Their ground is a dark tawny-brown, minutely
dotted with darker spots of brown. — Baird, Breiver and
Ri(Jg7cay.
THE MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE. 165
THE TEXAS PRAIRIE HEN.
Cupidonia cupido, Var, pallidicinctus. — Ridgway.
|ABITS. — Southwestern Prairies (Staked Plains,
Texas?) In its relations with the C. cupido, this
race bears a direct analogy to Pedioecetes columbianus,
as compared with P. phasianellus and to Ortyx tex-
(mus, as distinguished from 0. virglnianus. Thus in a much
less development of the tarsal feathers it agrees with the
southern Pedioecetes, while in paler, grayer colors, and
smaller size, it is like the southwestern Ortyx. — Baird,
Brewer and Bidgway.
THE MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE.
Bonasa umbellus, Var, umbelloides. — Douglas.
ij^ABITS. — In regard to the habits of this variety we
have no information. It was found by Mr. Drum-
mond among the Rocky Mountains, near the sources
of the tributaries of the Saskatchewan. He states that
those he met with were at least one-third smaller than the
irmbdlus, had a much grayer plumage and a shorter ruffle.
He regarded it as a distinct species from the common Par-
tridge, which he also encountered in the same locality.
Mr. Ridgway met with this variety on the Wahsatch
Mountains in October and during the summer. It was
known in that locality as the Pine Hen, in distinction from
the T. ohscurus, which was known as the Mountain Grouse
166 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
The eggs of this variety measure 1.62 inches in length
by 1.20 in breadth. Their ground-color is a deep uniform
cream, darker than in the umbellus. They are occasional!}^
marked with dark tints of the same. — Baird, Brewer and
Ridgway.
THE OREGON GUOUSE. 167
THE OKEGON GEOUSE.
Bonasa umbellus, Var, sabini. — Douglas.
fi^ABITS.— The Western Euffed Grouse was found
abundant by Dr. Suckley in the timbered districts
throughout Oregon and Washington Territory. Its
habits seemed to be identical with those of the East-
ern birds. Owing to the mildness of the season in the vi-
cinit}^ of Fort Steilacoom, the males commenced drumming
as early as January, and in February they are heard to
drum throughout the night. In the autumn they collect
in great numbers in the crab apple thickets near the salt
marshes at the mouths of the rivers emptying into Puget
Sound. There they feed for about six weeks on the ripe
fruit of the northwestern crab-apple, the Fyrus rivularis of
Nuttall.
Dr. Cooper also speaks of this Grouse as very abundant
everywhere about the borders of woods and clearings. It
was common near the forests east of the Cascade Moun-
tains up to the 49th degree. These birds vary in plumage
there, a pale-grayish hue predominating. West of the
mountains they are all of a very dark brown. There was,
however, no perceptible diiference in their habits or cries
from those of the same bird elsewhere.
Mr. J. K. Lord assigns to this species an extended geo-
graphical range west of the Eocky Mountains, — from the
borders of California, throughout Oregon and Washington
Territory, extending high up on the slopes of the Eocky
Mountains, plentiful in all the timbered lands between the
Cascades and the rocky ruts along the banks of the Co-
himbia, over the ridge of the Cascades, and down their
western slopes to Frazer's Eiver, in all the islands of the
168 PRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
Gulf of Georgia, and everywhere on Yaneoiiver Island to
its extreme northern end, and on the mainland as far north
as latitude 53°. The habits of this Grouse are described
as singularly erratic and its food as varied as its character.
In the spring their favorite haunt is in the vicinity of stag-
nant pools, or in the brush around a marsh in which the
Avild swamp-crab, the black birch, and the alder grow. In
such places they mate, and during the breeding-season are
said to be very constant and devoted. During the time of
pairing, and at intervals after their young are hatched,
the male produces the sound known as drumming. The
bird is said to squat on a log or a fallen tree, motionless as
though it had no life. Suddenly all the feathers appear as
if reversed, the tail is erected, the ruff round its neck stands
out stiff and rigid, and the wings droop as if broken. These
slowly vibrate, and then produce a sound loud and clear,
like the thrum of a double-bass string. Then the wings
move with increased rapidity, and the sound becomes a
continuous throbbing hum. It then suddenly ceases, and
after a few^ minutes the same performance is repeated.
Mr. Lord also states that he has seen the males of this
species fighting furiously during the pairing season. Ruff-
ing up their necks, with their heads and backs almost in a
straight line, and with wrings dropped, they circle round
and round each other, striking and pecking until the van-
quished gives in, and the victor mounts upon a log and
proceeds to drum furiou8l3\ Their nest is com2:)leted about
the end of May, and is always placed under a log on the
ground, or at the foot of a bush. It is composed of a quan-
tity of dead leaves, lined with dry grasses, bits of moss,
and a few feathers.
Mr. Lord adds that he found at least ten nests of this
bird in one swamp near the Spokane Prairies. From ten
to fourteen eggs was about the average number; 'they are
described as in color of a dirty white, and without any
spots or freckles of a darker shade. The chickens at once
leave the nest and follow their mother, who calls them
with a clucking sound, in the manner of a Hen, covers
THE OREGON GROUSE. 169
them when restinj^, and uses all kinds of feints and strata-
gems to lure an intruder from her j^oung, fluttering along
close to his feet as if her wings were entirely disabled,
and then, when her chickens hav^e had time to conceal
themselves, suddenly darting ofl". AVhen frightened, this
Grouse rises with a loud rattling sound; but its natural
upward movement is noiseless.
After the chickens are old enough, the flock removes
to open hill-sides where grass-seed, berries, and insects are
in abundance. This Grouse never packs, but remains in
broods. In the fall, before they begin to feed on the spruce
buds, their flesh is said to be delicious; but after the snow
shuts them off" from other food they feed on the fir buds,
and then their flesh acquires a strong flavor of turpentine.
In the tree this Grouse is not an easy bird to discover ;
so closely docs its plumage resemble the lichen-covered
bark that it is difficult to distinguish them, especially as,
when alarmed, they crouch down lengthwise with the
limb, and thus become concealed. — Baird, Brewer and
Ridgway.
22
170 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
WILLOW GEOUSE; WHITE PTAEMIGAK
Lagopus alb us. — Aud.
[1^ A BITS. — Eichardson regarded this species as an in-
^Mi habitant of the fur countries from the 50th to the
^^^ 70th parallel of latitude, being partially migratory
^ within those limits. It was found to breed among
the valleys of the Eocky Mountains, on the barren grounds,
and along the Arctic coasts. On the approach of winter it
collects in flocks, and retires southward as the severity of
the weather increases. They remain, however, in consid-
erable numbers as far north as latitude 67°, even in the
coldest winters. It was found to be tolerably abundant at
the 65th parallel all the year, assembling in vast flocks on
the shores of Hudson Bay in the winter time. Mr.
Hutchins states that ten thousand of these birds have been
captured in a single season at Severn Eiver. Eichardson
adds that in 1819 these birds made their first appearance
at Cumberland House, latitude 54°, in the second week of
November, and that they returned to the northward again
before the beginning of spring. In the winter they are
said to shelter themselves in thickets of willows and dwarf
birches, on the banks of marshes and lakes, the buds of the
smaller shrubs being the principal part of their food at
that season. Denuded sandy spots were their favorite re-
sorts in the day time, but they passed their nights in holes
in the snow. When pursued by sportsmen or birds of
prey, they often terminate their flight by hastily diving
into the loose snow, working their wa}" beneath its sur-
face with considerable celerity. In thick, windy, or snowy
weather they were very shy, perching on the taller wil-
lows, where it required a sharp eye to distinguish them
WILLOW grouse; white ptarmigan. 171
from flakes of snow. In the summer season they feed
chiefly on the berries of the alpine arbutus and other
shrubs and plants, which are laid bare by the thaw, and
which do not disappear until they are replaced by a new
crop. They incubate about the beginning of June, at
which time the females moult. The males assume their
red-colored plumage as soon as the rocks and eminences
become bare, at which time they are in the habit of stand-
ing upon large stones, calling in a loud and croaking voice
to their mates, which, still in their white wintry garb, are
hi<lden in the snows below. These birds are more usually
in motion in the milder light of night than in the broad
glare of day.
Captain Blakiston traced this Grouse across the interior
from Hudson Bay to near the Rocky Mountains, and ob-
tained a single specimen near Fort Carlton. It does not
come down every winter, however, so far south on the
Upper Saskatchewan. Near Lake Winnipeg, at Fort
Cumberland, and to the eastward, they are common every
winter, and numbers are obtained from the shores of Hud-
son's Bay. Mr. Ross gives this species as common on the
Mackenzie. Mr. Robert Mac Farlane found it ax'ound Fort
Anderson, where, he writes, it was always very numerous
in that quarter at all seasons, and generally not difiicult of
approach. During the breeding season the males were to
be found i:)erched upon trees and stumps in the vicinity of
the nest, while the female would rarely leave the latter
until almost trodden on. They are also said, by Mr. Mac
Farlane, to assume their summer plumage earlier than the
males, differing in this statement from Dr. Richardson's.
Their nest is alwaj'S on the ground, and consists only of a
few decayed leaves placed in a depression. Sometimes
other materials, such as hay, moss, feathers, etc., are found.
While incubating, the female occasionally sits so close as
to allow herself to be caught rather than leave the nest.
They begin to nest early in June, varying a little with
the season, not commencing so soon where the ground at
that period was still covered with snow. Eggs taken from
172 PRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
the oviduct were almost invariabl}^ pure white in color. In
one instance an egg taken from the oviduct of a female,
June 5, that had previously deposited eight eggs the same
season, was covered with coloring matter or marking so
soft as to adhere to the fingers when touched. After the
female has once begun to lay, Mr. Mac Farlane observed
that she deposits one egg each day until the whole num-
ber has been reached. This varies from eight to ten.
The males were always observed in the immediate vi-
cinity of the nest, and began to assume their summer
moult about the 6th of June, most of their necks at that
time being already of a reddish-brown color. The nests
were alwaj'S on the ground, and were mere depressions
lined with a few soft materials, generally leaves, occasion-
ally mingled with feathers, hay, etc., the feathers often
being their own. The same nest was often made use of in
successive seasons. Eggs were found as late as the 24th
of June, and the female is supposed to sit about three
weeks before hatching. Occasionally eggs were found
dropped on the bare ground without any signs of a nest.
In one instance the egg was pure white, like one taken
from the oviduct. It was found lying on the bare ground,
without the least apyjearance of a nest in the vicinit3\
In one instance where a nest was met with, on the banks
of Swan Eiver, by Mr. Mac Farlane's party, en route, the
female was almost trodden under loot before she fluttered
off, when she at once turned about to face her enemies,
spreading her wings and ruflling her feathers as if to at-
tack or frighten them away. In another case a nest con-
taining only one fresh egg, in which the female had but
just begun to deposit, was found as late as June 25th.
Other eggs found June 27th, contained ver}' large embrj'os.
Another nest, examined a fortnight later, (Julj^ 10), had in
it ten perfectly fresh eggs. Mr. Mac Farlane inferred that
this nest had been robbed at an early period of the season.
This time she apparently made no attempt at another
laying. In several instances where both birds were ])res-
ent near a nest that was taken, the male bird would make
WILLOW grouse; white ptarmigan. 173
his presence known by giving utterance to ver}* peculiar
rough notes, indicative of alarm and distress at the pro-
ceedinocs. In one instance a nest was ibund in the midst
of a clump of very small stunted willows, within thirty
feet of the spot where Mr. Mac Farlane's tent was pitched.
This was on the 21st of Judc, but the nest escaped notice
until the 22d of July, when the female was almost trodden
on as she was sitting on her eggs, where she had probably
had her nest during their entire stay. The eggs were
warm when taken, and their contents were slightly de-
veloped. During the night the male Ptarmigan disturbed
the encampment by keeping up a constant utterance of
his rough and rather unpleasant notes. In another in-
stance the female fluttered off, calling, and pretending to
be badly wounded; while the male bird, in the vicinity,
made his near presence known by the loud manner in which
he expressed his disapprobation of such proceedings.
In one instance where an Indian had found a nest of
this Ptarmigan, which then contained seven eggs, the fe-
male was seen, and the notes of the male bird were heard.
He placed a snare about the eggs, but on returning to the
nest a few hours afterwards, he was surprised to find that
six of the eggs had disappeared during his brief absence.
He supposed a fox had taken them ; but as no egg-shells
were left behind, Mr. Mac Farlane has no doubt they were
removed b}^ the parent birds.
When the young are hatched they follow the parents.
both of whom keep about them, and display great courage
and devotion whenever there is any occasion, suffering
themselves to be very closely approached, and utterly re-
gardless of consequences in their desire to save their
young. A The latter are very hard to recognize, owing to
their close resemblance to the grass, in which they squat,
and remain perfectly still.
In September and October of each season these Ptarmi-
gan assemble in large flocks, but during winter seldom
more than two or three dozen were ever noticed in single
companies. They would often alight and feed in the im-
174 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
mediate presence of the men, and would even permit a
very near approach. During the winter they were fre-
quently to be met between Fort Anderson and Fort Good
Hope, in especial abundance about the last-mentioned
post. As the spring approached, they began to migrate
to the north; so that in the summer scarcely a Ptarmigan
was to be seen south of Lockhart Eiver, on their usual
line of march to that post. In February, 1859, Mr. Mac
Farlane found them numerous to the very borders of the
wooded country, along the banks of the Lower Anderson.
Mr. Donald Gunn states that this Ptarmigan is very
seldom to be seen south or west of Lake Winnipeg, but is
found in all the country north and east of that lake during
the winter season. In the summer they are said to breed
around Hudson's Bay, and during the winter to be found
along the whole extent of that bay, especially if the winter
is mild. During severe winters they go more inland. The
males of this species are said by Mr. Gunn to crow morning
and evening in the same manner as the Moor-fowl in Scot-
land, the tone and notes being very similar. The female is
said to lay from ten to sixteen eggs, but the largest number
taken by Mr. Mac Farlane appears to have been ten.
These birds are oi' great service to the Indians, serving as
food when larger game fails; and their feathers are also a
considerable article of trade, several hundred weight of
them being annually sent to London.
Mr. Dall found this Ptarmigan abundant in Alaska, from
Fort Yukon to the sea. In winter they fe'ed exclusively
on willow buds, a double handful having often been found
in their crops. As soon as the ground was well covered
with snow they appeared on the river in covies among the
willow thickets. They were rather shy, and on aji alarm
they flew immediately, but without noise. They made
regular paths along the banks of the river among the wil-
lows, along which they always ran. The Indians took ad-
vantage of these to snare them, and caught them by hun-
dreds. The}' were abundant in the iall and midwinter.
In February they gathered in immense flocks, and disap-
WILLOW GROUSE ; WHITE PTARMIGAN. 175
peared, no one could tell where, returning about the mid-
dle of March as suddenly as they had gone away, remain-
ing a few weeks, then resorting to the mountains and open
country to breed. In 1867 they disappeared February
15 and returned April 1, leaving for the mountains May 3.
The following year they left February 10, returning March
21, and left for the mountains April 28, going and coming
in large flocks. They begin to moult about the middle of
April, the feathers of the head, edges of wings, and upper
tail-coverts, changing first. At this time the capillaries
in the skin of the abdomen become engorged with serous
fluid, and give to the bird a disgusting appearance. Mr.
Dall obtained eggs in an open tundra near the mouth of
the Yukon in the latter part of June. The female defend-
ed her nest bravelj', and rather than desert her eggs allow-
ed herself to bo torn to pieces by a dog.
Mr. Bannister was also struck with the strong attach-
ment shown to each other by both sexes during the breed-
ing season. He has known the male bird to sacrifice his
own life, rather than desert his wounded mate. He men-
tions them as common at St. Michael's and the adjoining
mainland during the greater part of the year, but espe-
cially abundant in the spring, when they are fouud singly
or in pairs all over the country. In the fall and winter
they kept more to the thicket of willows. The greater
part of them were supposed to have gone into the wooded
districts of the interior for better shelter and more abun-
dant food.
The eggs of this species vary considerably in length and
breadth, they average about 1.85 inches in length and 1.20
in breadth and are oval in shape, one end a little less ob-
tuse than the other. They are all beautifully variegated
and marked with bold confluent blotches of a dark claret
color, upon a ground of a deep cream tinged with a red-
<iish shading- — Baird, Brewer and Ridgway.
176 FRANK SCIILEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
EOCK PTAEMIGAN.
Lagopus mutus, Var, rupestris. — Leach.
IHABITS. — According to Hutchins, this Ptarmigan is
numerous at the two extremes of Hudson's Bay, but
does not appear at the middle settlements of York
and Severn except in very severe seasons, when the
Willow Grouse are scarce ; and Captain Sabine informed
Eichardson that they abounded on Melville Island, latitude
75°, in the summer. They arrived there in their snow-
white winter dress about the 12th of May. By the end of
the month the females had be<»;un to assume their colored
plumage, which was completed by the first week in .Tune,
when the change in the plumage had only just commenced
in the males. Some of the latter were found as late as the
middle of June in their unaltered winter plumage. This
Grouse was also found on the Melville peninsula and the
Barren Grounds, rarely going farther south, even in the
winter, than latitude 53° in the interior, but, on the coast
of Hudson's Bay, descending to latitude 58°, and in sevei'c
seasons still farther to the southward. In its general man-
ners and mode of living it is said to resemble the albus, but
does not retire so far into the wooded country in the win-
ter. At that season it frequents the more open woods on
the borders of lakes, especially in the 65th parallel, but
the bulk of this species remains on the skirts of the Bar-
ren Grounds. They incubate in June.
Mr. Mac Farlan'e found this spQeies breeding about Fort
Anderson, and on the Barren Grounds east of the Horton
lliver. They nest, in a similar manner to A albus, on the
ground, placing the materials in a depression on the
ground, and using hay, withered leaves, and a few feathers
and making a rather loose, ill-arranged nest. This is
ROCK PTARMIGAN. 177
usually placed on an open common, sometimes near the
banks of a small stream. They were more early in their
breeding than the albus^ as young Ptarmigans of a goodly
size are mentioned as having been seen June 30. The
eggs ranged from four to eight in number.
The female sits very close, and rather than leave will
sometimes suffer herself to be taken by the hand. In one
instance when a nest was approached, the female crouched
as much as possible, in the hope that she might not be no-
ticed, which would have happened had not one of the
party observed her eye. Her summer plumage was almost
exactly of the same color with the soil, and hardly distin-
guishable from it. The man was within three feet, and,
making a swoop, caught her on the nest.
Excepting in 1862, Mr. Mac Farlane did not meet with
any of this species west of the Swan River, on his various
journey's to Franklin Bay. Every season, almost immedi-
ately on leaving the woods fringing Swan River, birds
began to be seen as far as and all along the Arctic coast.
Although constantly found feeding in large numbers on
the Barrens, it was always difficult to find their nests.
They were most numerous between Ilorton River and
Franklin Bay, and were frequently seen standing singly, or
feeding on the ground, or an occasional pair might be
seen, but it was seldom any number were observed in
company.
Mr. Dall states that this species was not uncommon in
the Romanzoff Mountains, northwest of Fort Yukon, but
did not know of its being found farther south or west. It
was obtained by S. Weston at Fort Yukon, and among the
mountains by Mr. McDougal.
The eggs of this species closely resemble those of L.
albus, but are somewhat smaller in size. They measure
1.63 inches in length by 1.18 in breadth, varying slighily
in size. Their ground is a deep reddish cream-color, nearly
covered by large blotches of a reddish chestnut, giving a
beautifully variegated effect to the whole. — Baird, Bretver
and Ridgway.
23
178 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
WHITE^TAILED PTAEMIGAK
Lagopus leucurus. — Swainson & Richardson.
IHABITS. — This species was first procured b}^ Mr.
Drummond, and described by Swainson in the
" Fauna Borealis." Five specimens were taken on
the Eocky Mountains in the 54th parallel, and ano-
ther, by Mr. Mac Pherson, on the same chain, nine degrees
farther north. They were said to have all the habits of
the other Ptarmigans, and to inhabit the snowy peaks near
the mouth of the Columbia, as well as the lofty ridges of
the Eocky Mountains.
We have but little reliable information in regard to the
habits and distribution of this species. It seems to be con-
fined entirely to the range of the Eocky Mountains, and
to be found only among their highest points, occurring at
least as far to the south as Cochetope Pass, in latitude 39°,
and extending north to an undetermined extent. Speci-
mens were procured in 1858 by Captain E. B. Marcy, on
his march from Fort Bridger, in Utah, across the Eocky
Mountains to Santa Fe. They were met with near the
summit of the mountains not far from Cochetope Pass.
Mr. Charles E. Aiken writes me that he has been in-
formed that this bird is common on the Snowy Eange, in
Colorado Territory. He was informed by an old miner,
who claimed to have met with these birds breeding near
the top of the range in June, that their nest, composed of
leaved and grass, is placed on the ground among bushes on
hill sides; that the eggs are fourteen in number, of a light
bluish-brown, marked and spotted with a darker shade of
bro^n.
Mr. J. A. Allen (Am. Nat., June, 1872), mentions finding,
among the snow-fields of the higher parts of the moun-
tains of Colorado, this Grouse as one of the essentially
Arctic species that were not met with below the region of
RUFFED grouse; PARTRIDGE; PHEASANT. 179
snow. The Ptarmigans were quite common, and in the
winter descend into the timbered land, where a great num-
ber are killed by the miners for food.
An egg given to Mr. Allen as a genuine agg of this spe-
cies, was taken on Mount Lincoln, Colorado, by Mr. Arthur
Meade. It is of an oblong-oval shape, and itieasures, as
well as its imperfect condition permitted its length to be
estimated, about 1.80 inches by 1.20 in breadth. Its ground
is a deep ochraceous cream color, marked with small
rounded spots of a deep chestnut. These are pretty uni-
formly sprinkled over the surface. Except in size, it bears
a close resemblance to the egg of the European Tetrao
urogallus. — Baird, Brewer and Ridgway.
RUFFED GROUSE; PARTRIDGE; PHEASANT.
Bonasa Umbellus. Var, Umbellus. — Stepheks.
/ft '^^' ^^I^^- — "^^^^ widening to the end, its feathers
^Jt, very broad, as long as the wings; the feathers soft,
and eighteen in number. Tarsi naked in the lower
half; covered with two rows of hexagonal scales
anteriorly, as in the ( Ortygince,) Sides of toes strongly pec-
tinated. Naked space on the side of throat covered by a
tuft of broad soft feathers. Portion of culman between
the nasal fossse about one-third the total length. Top of
head with a soft crest.
" This genus, in its partly naked tarsi, with two rows of
scutella^ anteriorly, indicates a close approach to the Amer-
ican Partridges, or Quails. It has a single European rep-
resentative, the B. sylvestrisy — Steph,
B. Umbellus. — Rump with cordate light spots; sides with
transverse dark spots. Tail with two gray bands (one
terminal), with a broad blackish zone between them. Cer-
vical tufts glossy black or dark brown, with a semi-metal-
lic steel-blue or green border. Prevailing color bright
ochraceous-rufous ; tail always rufous in the Middle and
180 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
Southern States, occasionally gray on the Allegany Moun-
tains, and in IN'ew England States; usually gray in Eastern
British America.
Hab. — Eastern Province of Xorth America. Yar, nm-
hellus. — Bajrd, Breiver and Ridgivay, Vol. TIL, page 440,
447.
Description. — The Pheasant, from the tip of the bill to
the end of the tail feathers, sixteen to nineteen inches long.
From tij) to tip of the outstretched wings, twenty-four
inches. Length of wing, seven inches. Bill of a brownish
color, eyes hazel, crested head. Neck variegated with
white, 3^ellow, black and brown. A tuft of twenty to thirty
broad, soft, black, glossy feathers covers a small impennous,
and otherwise naked space on each side of the neck. Upper
parts of the body, rust color, marked with spots of light
yellowish gray. Lower parts of the body white, with
splotches of brown. The tail generally seven inches in
length, usually of eighteen feathers, rounding and of a ru-
fous brown color, marked with a broad, blackish zone be-
tween two narrow bands of light gray, one of which ter-
minates the tail. Tarsi naked in the lower half, covered
with scales. Feet grayish, sides of the toes pectinated,
two exterior ones joined at the base, and to the first joint
with a strong membrane. Weight 1 lb. 6 to 13 oz. Flesh
white. The plumage of the female is similar to the male,
but of a lighter shade. The neck tufts of the female are
of a brownish color. The zone on the tail is not as dark
as that of the male. The above description was accurately
taken, from birds fresh killed by myself, in the Hills and
Mountains, of Frederick county, Maryland.
[SEE ENGKAYING.]
Habits. — This beautiful game bird is known in Xcw
England as the Partridge, in the Southern and Middle
States as the Pheasant. Neither of these names is its
])roper one, for this bird belongs to neither the Partridge
nor the Pheasant families. The true name of this bird is
1
■^w/0i«^rm}
m-:m^
-^ .sA
mwM
AMERICAN RUFFED GROFSl.
RUFFED grouse; PARTRIDGE; PHEASANT. 181
the American Buffed Grouse. It derives its name from a
peculiar tuft of numerous (twenty to thirty) broad, soft,
flossy, black feathers, on the sides of the neck, which it
sometimes i*aises as a ruff. As this bird is known so gen-
erally in Maryland as the Pheasant, and by no other name,
I will call it the Pheasant, because many of our sportsmen
would not know the bird by its true name Grouse. The
Pheasant is found wherever wooded country is met with,
throughout the Eastern portion of North America, from
the Atlantic Coast to the Rocky Mountains, and from
Georgia to Nova Scotia. They also often occur in consid-
erable numbers in the low lands, and were discovered by
by Mr. Audubon, breeding in the thickest canebrakes of
Indiana and Kentucky. They are found in nearly all the
Southern States, being abundant in Virginia, the Caro-
linas, Tennessee, Kentucky, and it is said as far to the
Southwest as Natchez, Mississippi. Dr. New^berry, as has
been stated, did not encounter this bird within the limits
of California, but found them very abundant in the wooded
portion of the Cascade Mountains, and in the Willamette
Valley. The Oregon species were generally darker than
the Eastern varieties, but the habits were apparently ever^^-
whcre the same. The Pheasant is generally found in small
flocks, except where they have been much hunted. When
this is the case, they are more frequently found singl}^, or
I'arel}^ more than tw^o to five together. These game birds
have their homes in the woods, mountains, and hills of our
country. They delight in the rockj^ sides of mountains
and hills where springs and small running streams abound.
They are particularly fond of high, sloping, rocky, wooded
hill-sides, which border on such streams, especially those
which are sheltered by the pine, hemlock, laurel, and other
evergreens. They always prefer the densest woods and
thickets, and are but seldom found in open plains. Thej-
love to frequent ravines and thickets, especially those which
extend out fi-om the mountains and hills. These places
are their favorite feeding grounds. The Pheasant is more
or less polygamous. Their love season commences in
182 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
March. The male only remains with the female until the
latter commences setting. They then keep by themselves
unless recalled by the female, when its eggs have been de-
stroyed. Pheasants have been taken young and tamed,
and their eggs have been hatched under the Domestic Hen,
but they seldom live until full grown. The nest is very
rudely constructed, consisting of only a few leaves laid in
a depression. The female places her nest on the ground in
some retired spot, frequently at the foot of a stump, bush,
tree, or log. The hen generally lays from six to twelve
eggs, of a yellowish color, and of an elongated oval, pointed
at one end. The young brood, as soon as they are free
from the shell, follow their mother in search of food. She
calls to them with a chuckling note, and when come upon
by a sportsman the young birds hide, and the hen resorts
to the same artifice as the Partridge (Ortyx) does to allure
the sportsman away from her young. In a short tmie the
young birds become strong enough to fly a short distance.
The cocks do not assist the hen in taking care of the young
brood — they scatter around singly, and frequently get to-
gether in small bands until Fall, when they all again asso-
ciate indiscriminately together in search of food, both
young and old. If the Spring is early, warm, and dry, the
young birds will be large enough to shoot by the 15th of
August, but if the Spring is late, and cold, and wet, the
brood will be small both in number and size of the birds.
I have shot birds of the young broods in Marj'land and
Yirginia, on the first day of August, that were apparently
as large as the old birds; and then again the next 3'car, on
the first of the same month, I have sprung them when they
were not much larger than a Partridge, which was owing
altogether to a difference in the season. Take the seasons
on an average, the first of September is tlie proper time
to commence shooting the young broods. About the first
of September, as a general thing, the young birds are
equal in size, but not in weight, to the old ones ; and though
they have not the power and rapidity of flight of the old
birds, I have always found that by the first of September
RUFFED grouse; PARTRIDGE; PHEASANT. 183
the young birds could fly plenty fast enough to elude any
but well-practiced sportsmen. As the trees and bushes
are full of leaves in places where they are found, and they
get under way and out of sight in a wonderful short space
of time, unless the gun is handled and leveled quickly, and
the sight is taken true by a good shooter, the}^ will not be
stopped. No. 6 St. Louis shot is the size to bring them
down: With any smaller size of shot you will often be
disappointed in bagging them if you fire at any distance
over thirty-five yards, even though your aim is true.
18-1 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTINO.
BEATIISTG OE DEUMMTNG OF THE PHEASAJSTT.
"Hearest thou that bird?
I list'ned, and from 'midst the depths of woods
Heard the signal of the Grouse,
A sound like distant thunder;
Slow the strokes at first, then faster and faster,
'Till at length they passed into a murmur and were still/'
Beyant.
gBN" some of our districts, the woods, mountains, and
SK bills of our country resound far and wide with the
^^ sound of the beating or drumming of the Pheasant.
W^ This sound is a very singular noise. It is a kind of
rumbling sound, or a tremor in the air, very much like the
rumbling of distant thunder. When this sound vibrates
from hill to hill, it is a difficult matter to Icxu^te the exact
spot from whence it comes. This rumbling sound is called
beating or drumming of the Pheasant, and on a clear, still
day, may b^ heard a long distance off. This peculiar
sound is made by the beating or drumming of the Cock
Pheasant, as has been described by Mr. Audubon, in this
way.
"The male bird, standing erect on a prostrate decayed
trunk, raises the feathers of its body in the manner of the
Turkey Cock, draws its head towards its tail, erecting the
feathei*s of the latter at the same time, and raising its ruff
around the neck, suffers its wings to drop, and struts about
on the log, a few moments elapse when the bird draws the
whole of its feathers close to its body, and stretching itself
out, beats its sides with its wings in the manner of the-
Domestic Cock, but more loudly, and with such rapidity
of motion, after a few of the first strokes, as to cause a
tremor in the air not unlike the rumbling of distant
thunder."
BEATING OR DRUMMING OF THE PHEASANT. 185
I have many times detected this bird by this peculiar
sound, and shot him, but it alwaj^s required my greatest
skill of observance to distinguish his exact location, as this
rumbling sound in the woods and hills is very deceiving.
Toiling, 1 have often climbed to the top of a rugged moun-
tain, under the impression the sound came from that direc-
tion, all the while keeping a sharp lookout in the advance,
and proceeding cautiously with my finger upon the trig-
ger of my gun, for, b^' the repeated thumping, I would
think I was close on the bird, but I have been too often
mistaken. After all my trouble, it would frequently turn
out, when I had thought I was right, that the rumbling
sound proceeded from the hill opposite the one I was on,
or some other neighboring locality. This beating or drum-
ming of the Cock Pheasant is a very singular manoeuvre,
and why this bird resorts to this peculiar performance, and
makes this sound, is left only for us to conjecture. Some
suppose that the male bird resorts to this means to draw
the hen to his presence; others suppose that this peculiar
noise is the male birds only plan of drawing the hen from
her hiding place during the period of incubation; others
suppose that this sound is produced by the bird when he
is in search of worms in a log. From my observation of
the beating or drumming of the Pheasant, I am compelled
to reject the reasons which have been assigned for it. I
am unable to attribute it to any special cause, and I have
concluded that it is altogether a natural habit for the bird
to perform this singular manoeuvre. I have shot Pheas-
ants, when they were beating or drumming, in all the
months of Autumn ; and I have heard them drum in the
night, and in all the months of the year, except when the
weather was cold, or when the ground was covered with
snow. The drumming by the male is frequently made on
a rock, stump, or stone, as well as on a log. The drum-
ming place of the male: This spot is situated in their
haunts — in places where they live. Around in the locali-
ties of these points, they may be found in all seasons of
the year.
24
186 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
FLIGHT OF THE PHEASANT.
§HE Pheasant is a strong and powerful bird on the
wing — there are few birds that can equal them in
gg^ rapidity of flight. On being disturbed the Pheasant
^ rises from the ground with strong wing, and tremen-
dous whirring noise, and flies off with the greatest ease,
and with wonderful rapidity, through the thickest woods.
There is much variation in the flight of Pheasants — some-
times they will mount almost perpendicularly into the air
before flying off^; at others they will rise and fly ofl" just
above the laurels or along within four or five feet of the
ground ; at others they will rise and fly, skimming along
close to the ground, then slyly disappearing from view.
Pheasants generally fly straight oif in a bee-line, but before
settling they usually take a turn to the right or left, sweep
around and alight. The flight of Pheasants varies greatly
in regard to distance. During the first of the shooting-
season, when the birds are young and tame, and the trees
and bushes are full of leaves, the flight of Pheasants is
about equal in distance to that of the Partridge {Ortyx);
but as the season advances and the trees become leafless,
their flight is much longer, particularly if they have been
much disturbed ; should this be the case, they spring in
greater terror, and usually fly out of sight before they
alight. Pheasants generally fly with the wind, and when
the wind is blowing a gale, they fly like a streak of light-
ning, especially the old ones, and in order to bring them
down, the shooter must be alert and quick in handling the
gnn, or they will not be stopped — they will soon get out
of sight, or killing range of the shot. Their movements
are very quick when they spring, and in a gale, unless the
shooter has a keen, quick eye, they will ^y twenty feet be-
FLIGHT OF THE PHEASANT. 187
fore he gets a glimpse of them. The startling noise and
flutter that a Pheasant makes, when springing from the
ground, is very apt to shake the shooter's nerves, or throw
him off his guard, and by this means, as much as any other,
the bird escapes being bagged. I have seen Pheasants
spring at the feet of sportsmen and fly off" and escape
without being fired at, " offering a beautiful mark, too."
The sudden spring, accompanied by the startling whirr
and flutter, would throw the shooter off his guard, and the
bird would fly away and escape with impunity, while the
shooter would stand and gaze with astonishment at the
unexpected and lightning flight of the bird. A full-grown
Pheasant, late in the season, flies at the rate of ninety miles
an hour, at least — that is, twenty-six hundred and forty
yards a minute, or forty -four yards in a second, and in a
breeze the bird will fly one-third swifter. If, therefore, a
Pheasant springs at your feet at this velocity, and you re-
quire one second to bring the sight to bear upon him, he
will be out of ordinary range, and the chances are three
out of four against the bird being stopped. If it is flying
across, and you dwell one second on the aim, the chances
are three out of four you will miss him. If it springs at
your feet and flies off in your rear, and you lose one sec-
ond in turning and getting aim, there are three chances
out of four the bird will not be bagged. If it springs ten
yards in advance, and flies straight off, and you require
three-fourths of a second to pitch the gun to the shoulder,
and draw a bead on him, the chances are three out of four
the bird will go freely on and escape unharmed. If it darts
down the moment after being fired at, and flies and skims
along close to the ground, and your dog pursues it close
and hotly, there are three chances out of four it will mount
and light upon a tree, and unless you are very careful, un-
derstand your business, and have a sharp eye, there are
fifty chances to one he will escape your notice and evade
being bagged. When brought down among thick laurel
gi'owth only wing tipped, unless you have a smart, swift
dog to give chase, or fire upon him with the second barrel
188 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
and stop him, there are a hundred chances to one he will
outrun you and escape. It frequently occurs that when
you come upon them suddenly, that they will squat and
lie close, until you stop or have passed by, when they will
whirr up, and fly oif like lightning to the densest part of
the cover. When the snow is soft, deep, and drifted. Pheas-
ants, when they ai^e hard pursued, will occasionally fly
right into it, and get covered up, or pitch into it and come
out again, a short distance in advance, and in this way fre-
quently escape pursuit. When a brood of Pheasants are
dispersed they have no call to reassemble them together
again — ^they wait until chance brings them together, which
it generally does, at their haunts, or feeding grounds, or
places where they go to scratch or drink.
MIGRATION.
[HE AS ANTS do not migrate, but like the Partridge,
(Ortyx), shift their ^uartei-s on the approach of
Winter to thicker cover. The distance is not ex-
tensive nor general. Pheasants will stray some
distance from the woods, let the cover and food be ever so
good. Earely I have found them two or three miles from
the woods in open fields, and shot them. Then again I
have come across single Pheasants in the open fields, among
covies of Partridges, at least four miles distant from any
woods or thickets. I recollect once, while Partridge shoot-
ing in company with Thomas W. Morgan and Major B. H.
Schley, in Frederick county, Maryland, of coming across a
single Pheasant among a covey of Partridges in the open
field, some three miles distant, apparently, from any woods
or thickets, and we drove the bird at least two m iles
through the open country, before we brought it to bag. It
FOES OP THE PHEASANT. 189
would always rise and fly before we got in killing range of
it. Then again, I recollect once, while Partridge shooting,
of springing a single Pheasant out in the open field near
the Monocacy Eiver. The nearest wood to this point was
on the Linganqre Hills, about two miles distant. The bird
escaped from me by flying across the river. One month
afterward I traoed this same bird, by sportsmen springing
it from place to place, and from time to time, through Fred-
erick Yalley, until the bird was driven to the Catoctin
Mountains, about six miles distant. These birds had stray-
ed from the woods and lost their way and did not know
which course to pursue in order to return,
FOES OF THE PHEASANT.
ITTE Pheasant has many foes to contend with, inde-
ptMident of man, that continually haunt and lurk in
their wake: The red and gray Fox; the roving,
rambling Mink, travelling its rounds in the darkness
of night; the industrious, enterprising little Weasel, search-
ing every nook, hole and corner for its prey ; the fidgity
Eaccoon, with his acute sense of smell; the quiet, sneak-
ing Polecat; these animals all prey upon the Pheasant
whenever an opportunity ofi'ers, and they destroy a large
number of these birds, both young and old. There are
several species of birds which also prey upon the Pheasant,
and attack them whenever a favorable chance is presented.
The large Chicken Hawk carries off the strongest and old-
est birds. The Pigeon Hawk, (Falco columbarius), this
quick-flighted, daring guerilla preys upon the Pheasant,
and there is no animal or bird whose attack is more fatal,
than that of this quick-flighted assassin. The American
Crow is a great foe of the Pheasant. This nest robber de-
190 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
stroys a large number of birds when they are quite young
or on first being hatched, and it takes every opportunity
to pilfer the eggs from the nest of the laying and setting
hen.
FOOD OF THE PHEASANT. 191
FOOD OF THE PHEASANT.
HEIR food consists of berries, seeds, grain, and in-
sects. In Summer their principal food is grosshop-
'^^^^ pers, ants, ant-eggs, wild strawberries, dewberries,
blackberries, raspberries, and whortleberries; later
in the season and in the Fall, dogwoodberries, sassafras-
berries, gumberries, the different species of wild grapes ;
later in the Fall, and in the Winter, their principal food is
chicken grapes, blackhaws, persimmons, greenbriarberries,
Humacberries, and different kinds of seed ; also, nuts, acorns,
and beach nuts, wheat, corn, apple seeds, &c.
In extreme Winter, towards Spring, when the ground is
covered by a deep snow, and they can find no more food
hanging upon the vines and branches to subsist upon, when
the}^ are forced by hunger and starvation, they feed upon
the buds and leaves of the mountain laurel, {Kalmia Lati-
folia), which is said to impart a poisonous character to the
flesh. Instances of poisoning have been known to occur
from eating Pheasants, when laurel leaves have been found
in their crops. As for myself, I have never experienced
any inconvenience after having partaken of the flesh, but
there is good authority for these charges, some of which I
will quote:
"This well known evergreen inhabits all sections of the
United States, being especially abundant on the sides of
hills and mountains. It is from three to ten feet in height.
The leaves are possessed of poisonous narcotic properties.
They have been analysed by Mr. Charles Bullock, of Phila-
delphia, and found to contain gum, tannic acid, resin, chlor-
ophyll, fatty matter, a substance resembling mannite, an
acrid principle, wax, extractive albumen, yellow coloring
matter, lignin, and salts of potassa, lime, and iron." —
American Journal of Pharmacy, XX., 264.
192 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
"Dr. N. Shoemaker published, in the North American
Medical and Surgical Journal^ two cases of poisoning which
resulted from eating a Pheasant, in the craw of which lau-
rel leaves were found. The symptoms were nausea, tem-
porary blindness, pain in the head, dyspnoea, pallid counte-
nance, cold extremities, and a very feeble pulse. In both
cases relief was afforded by vomiting, produced by a table-
spoonful of flour of mustard mixed with warm water.
A case of similar poisoning is related in the Edinburgh
Medical Journal, {^(^y^ 1856, page 1014), Wood & Bache,
U. S. JD.
Pheasants feed by moonlight as well as by day. They
roost on the ground. They can see in the night and can
fly then, as well as by day. They roost just where sleep
overtakes them.
I have frightened them up at all hours of the night. On
approaching them they would become alarmed and fly as
readily as they would in the day. I have frequently seen
it stated that when a number of Pheasants are in the same
tree feeding, several may be killed if you are careful to
shoot the lowest one each time. I have never found this
to be the case. In their native haunts, where I have pur-
sued them, I have frequently found Pheasants, in dogwood
trees, feeding on the berries. I have found them in gum,
and haw trees, and also in grape vines, and when I had the
luck to find more than one in a tree, I was always careful
enough to kill the lowest one first, but not in one instance
did I ever succeed in getting more than one shot at them
in the same tree; at the report of the gun the upper ones
would spread their wings and speed away swift as bullets.
AUTUMN PHEASANT SHOOTING. 193
AUTUMN PHEASANT SHOOTING.
"It is brilliant Autumn time, the most brilliant time of all,
When the gorgeous woods are gleaming ere the leaves begin to fall ;
When the maple boughs are crimson, and the hickory shines like gold,
When the noons are sultry hot, and the nights are frosty cold ;
When the country has no green but the sword-grass by the rill, *
And the willows in the valley, and the pine upon the hill ;
When the pippin leaves the bough, and the sumach's fruit is red,
And the Quail is piping loud from the buckwheat where he fed ;
When the sky is blue as steel, and the river clear as glass,
When the mist is on the mountain, and the network on the grass ;
When the harvests all are housed and the farmer's work is done.
And the woodland is resounding with the spaniels and the gun."
Anon.
S^F all the sports with dog and gun there are but few
SB "^ which nature presents such charms, beauty and
scenery, to an observant sportsman, as the sport of
Pheasant shooting in Autumn, in America. Among
mountains, hills, ravines, rocky rifts, and secluded wood-
land dells, amidst moss-covered rocky hillsides, where
mountain springs, and small running streams abound, shel-
tered by the boughs of pine, hemlock, laurel, and other ever-
greens, amidst woodland foliage, rich and ripe, with every
tint of Autumn shade and color, among mountain rills,
streams, and brooks, and waterfalls clear as crystal, among
these native haunts of the Pheasant, nature reveals her
sweetest charms, and most beautiful scenery. Here in
Autumn she revels in her most luxurious garb, and mocks
the feeble efforts of the Poet's pen, the Painter's eye, and
Artist's pencil to portray her inimitable splendor. Among
such landscapes the true sportsman will conduct you with
dog and gun, without a thought, for this is the place, as a
25
194 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
rule, where the home, haunts and habits of these wild,
watchful, secluded, mountain birds are found. These game
birds are brought to bag in various ways — they are taken
in traps, in nooses and snares, and, when on the wing, with
dog and gun.
To be successful in shooting Pheasants on the wing, it
requires great skill and excellence in handling the gun; at
the same time there is no sport that so much depends on
the perfect coolness, and quick action of the sportsman, as
Pheasant shooting, and I am not aware of any other sport
in which the nerves of the sportsman are more fully tested,
than in this delightful recreation. Pheasants require careful
watching to mark them down. You must eye them very
closely in their line of flight, and when you lose sight of
them through the cover, or in the distance, keep your eye
on their line of flight, and far in advance; they very often
show themselves when coming down, by a motion of their
wings, or in some other way, long after you have lost sight
of them. Our Pheasants are found usually in the most
dense covers, and the dog that is best adapted to their pur-
suit is a well-broken, easily controlled, diligent and stead}^
Pointer or Setter. I have no preference for the Pointer
over the Setter for this sport, when either possesses the
following qualities. He should have a good nose, and should
stand firm, and should carry his head well up, and when
the weather is calm, or going either with or against the
wind, he should scent his game from twenty to forty yards
distance, and draw upon the scent slowly with cat-like
caution, and have judgment enough to be content to stand
before flushing up his game, fast and firm upon the scent,
with head high, and tail stiff, from ten tc twenty yards
from his game, as these wild- birds will not always lie to
allow a much closer point. With a Pointer or Setter with
these qualities, and these alone, will Pheasants, over dogs,
be successfully shot. The Pheasant, when frightened from
the ground, ofl'crs the best and fairest mark to be killed,
when they mount up into the air before getting headway
on the wing. Thing around or across they offer a fair
AUTUMN PHEASANT SHOOTING. 195
chance to be killed, as the shot hits with full force, and one
or two pellets will stop them. Flying straight forward
they offer a bad chance to be killed, and you must draw
upon them very quick, or they will be out of range, and
they must be hit hard to be brought down. With a dog
that you can depend upon, and it is best to have with you
a companion, go into the woods where you know Pheas-
ants abound, hunt out the ravines and gullies, and the
thickets which extend out from, and along the edges of
the woods, hunt regularly the sides of the hills, especially
if they are rocky and grown up with bushes and laurel,
look well to the ground where grapevines abound, especi-
ally if there are grapes hanging on the vines. If possible,
hunt the dog so he will have the benefit of the wind in his
favor, as he will scent his game much farther when the
wind is in his favor, than he would otherwise. When your
dog trails or scents a Pheasant and comes to a stand, and
you can depend upon him standing to his point, make no
noise, speak not a word, and if the ground will admit of it,
make a circuit to the right and left of the dog, slowly and
cautiously upon the bird, so you will encircle him between
your friend, dog, and yourself Whe;i come upon in this
way and flushed, he will mount up into the air and fly off,
and will offer a beautiful mark. Now, if you are a good
shot, and you are quick in handling your gun, and are care-
ful not to let your nerves get in a flutter, but take the bird
quick, before it gets too well on the wing, it will be yours.
Should the lay of the ground be of such a character that
it would not admit of your making a circuit to the right,
and left of the dog, to encircle the bird, other tactics should
be used — advance slowly and cautiously behind the dog, to
within six or eight feet of him ; on coming up to this spot
let your companion stop and stand fast, you make a circuit
around to the right or left to one side, and a little in ad-
vance, as the nature of the ground will admit; the advant-
age is that when the bird is flushed, whatever direction it
should happen to take, it will be impossible for it to fly off
and escape, without offering a fair chance to be killed, by
196 FRANK SCHLEY's PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
exposing its vital parts to a cross or side shot, from one or
the other of you. Eemember, these stragetic movements
should never be attempted, except over well broken, staunch
dogs. When Pheasant shooting with dogs of such a char-
acter that you cannot depend upon them to stand firm upon
their game, the best plan to pursue to be successful, is to
mark the birds down, keep your dogs behind you, and walk
the birds up. In this way, when your dogs start a Pheas-
ant, watch the bird in its flight, mark the course it has
taken, call your dogs in and keep them behind you, and
follow on the bird's line of flight the course it has taken,
and when you have gone far enough, or close to the place
where you thought it settled, step off" right or left from
this line twenty or thirty feet, turn squarely to the right
or left, have your finger upon the trigger, and keep a sharp
lookout, taking a direct course running with your first line ;
when you have reached your limit of distance that you sup-
posed the bird to lie, turn to the right or left from twenty
to thirty feet, according to the thickness of the cover, and
take a course backwards parallel to your first line. So con-
tinue on in this way until you have been over, in parallel
lines, all the ground that is likely to contain your bird.
Should you fail to get the bird up, let your dogs out, hunt
them close around and in your sight, give them plenty of
time and they will be apt to find it. Should it get up too
far in advance, or escape by plunging into thick cover,
which it is almost sure to do, don't get in a rage or curse
yoiir luck, or get discouraged, but take it coolly, call your
dogs in and keep them behind you, and follow on after the
bird as before. Stick to him, for the oftener it is driven
up, the more chances you will have of bagging it. After
being driven up several times in succession, it will lose its
courage, and lie closer, and become tamer and tamer, and
•less capable to evade pursuit, and finally Avill ofl'er you an
excellent opportunity^ to bag it, by rising close at your feet.
A Pheasant generally flies straight off in a bee line, but
before settling he usually turns to the right or left and
sweeps around and alights, and by this trick he is apt to
AUTUMN PHEASANT SHOOTING. 197
mislead you, and escape being found, which frequently saves
his life. By following the rules I have given, and perse-
vering in them, if you are a good, quick shot, not one Pheas-
ant in a hundred will miss your bag.
198 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
SHOOTING IN WOODS AND THICKETS.
Fast flying shots and running game
Shoot without closing either eye to aim.
Schley.
iHE gun for shooting in the woods and thickets should
be a short barrel, No. 12, 13, or 14 guage. The length
of the barrel should not be more than twenty-nine
inches. A short barrel gun of this description can
be handled very easily, and quickly, among the bushes,
whereas a longer barrel would baulk the shooter by catch-
ing against the branches of trees and brush wood. To be
successful in shooting in the woods and thickets, the sports-
man should take advantage of all and every chance, that
offers a chance to be hit. Never refuse a fair chance, under
the hope of getting a better one — shoot if it is only where
you expect a bird, or animal to appear, or close to where
one has disappeared. By practicing this kind of shooting
in the woods and thickets, if you have a keen, quick eye,
and quick action, you will acquire the art of killing birds
and animals, even after they have passed entirely from your
sight, behind the thickest foliage, and you will get the knack
of pitching the gun to your shoulder and stopping your bird,
or animal, in the thickest woods or thicket, at the moment
you hear the sound of their feet, or the flap of their wings,
without knowing how you shot them or whether you saw
them at all when you fired. If your dog points a Pheas-
ant, Woodcock, Partridge, or the like, into brushwood,
briars or laurels, and you are close on the game, kick the
brushwood with your foot, tap the briars, laurels and the
like with the point of the gun. If the game springs and
darts off though the bushes, or hanging branches, and you
SHOOTING IN WOODS AND THICKETS. 199
lose sight of it, be quick in shooting. Pitch the gun upj
and at the instant the butt of the gun touches the shoulder,
draw the trigger and fire, shoot in the line the game is go-»
ing, never mind the bushes, branches, and leaves, the shot
will pass through them. If your eye takes the line of flight
correctly, you will bag your game, the shot will riddle the
bushes and splinter the branches, and bring down twigS
and leaves, and if you hear a sound, as if something struck
or fluttered, or a rustle of the leaves, or see floating feathers,
you can be sure you have bagged your game. When shoot-
ing in woods and thickets, always take advantage of the
open places. Place yourself in a good position, so you will
have plenty of room to handle yourself, and free scope for
firing. Do not place yourself in high briars, or close run-
ning vines, and get tied up, or under overhanging bushes,^
or under low hanging branches. The art of knowing how
and where to place yourself to get a fair shot in thick co-
vert, is one of the secrets of success in filling the game bag.
When rabbit shooting in woods or thickets, have plenty of
dogs, the more the merrier. When the dogs bounce a
rabbit, do not follow the dogs, but place yourself in a clear
space of ground or path, and there stand perfectly still,'
have your gun in hand and be ready, keep your tongue
quiet, and your ears open, and look sharp, and you will
have a far better chance of bagging it, than by running
around and about with the dogs. If any kind of game is
approaching you, and you are in cover and the game is near
at hand, and you are standing erect, remain so and be per-
fectly motionless, do not move a muscle, the game will not
be apt to notice you if your dress is suitable to the cover,
but if you move or attempt to dodge or hide, they will
catch sight of you by the least movement, and on doing so
you will lose your chance. When shooting along hillsides,
and steep precipices, and narrow ridges, or sloping banks,
which are grown up with wood — walk always along the
lower side of the rise — you will get a better range of the
ground than by walking along the upper side of the rise.
When shooting in woods or thickets, always advance upon
200 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. .
the game from below, and drive them up hill, and you will
have a better chance of shooting them, and marking them,
than by advancing upon them down hill. "When shooting
in a long, narrow strip of wood or thicket for Pheasants,
Partridges, Woodcock, Eabbits, or the like, and you have
a companion, one should walk on each side and outside of
the cover. The dogs should go inside. You should keep
in line and in sight of each other. If one fires both must
stop and stand still. Make the dogs do the same. When
the gun is reloaded, go and pick up the game and bag it,
after which go on as before. On coming up to the end of
the thicket, or woods, and you have reason to think the
dogs missed a Eabbit or a Pheasant, or the like, try it again,
go back on your tracks slowly, and give the dogs plenty
of time. When shooting in a wood, or thicket, with a com-
panion, keep in line of each other and in sight. Be always
on your guard, and always ready to fire, but at the same
time you should be cautious and watchful how you handle
your gun and how you shoot, for when you least expect
you may accidentally shoot yourself or friend. When still
shooting in the woods or thickets for game, keep a sharp
lookout, not only for the game, but for anything uncommon
among the surrounding objects that strikes your attention.
Walk along noiselessly, in the most open places, select out
the softest places, avoid loose stones and brushwood, or any-
thing that will betray your steps. Do not leave a hole or
nook unsearched by your glance. Notice the waving of
one branch in particular, when all others are quiet, the
slightest rustle of the leaves, the disturbed surface of a pool,
the fresh breakage of a branch, the falling of a green leaf,
or an upturned dead one, everything must be noticed, even
from the faintest sound, to an alarmed chatter of a bird.
Nothing should be passed unheeded by the sportsman it he
wishes to fill his game bag.
SPORTING DOGS. 201
SPORTING DOGS.
ffE best sport with the gun and the highest enjoy-
ment of Partridge and Pheasant shooting are with
good dogs. A full treatise on sporting dogs must
not be looked for within the limits of such a book as
this ; at the utmost a few hints and instructions only can
be afforded. For the most general and useful information
regarding sporting dogs, I beg to refer the reader to the
"American Kennel, and Sporting Field," by Arnold Sur-
ges. This valuable work contains all that is requisite for
a sportsman to know in reference to these highly interest-
ing animals, and a copy of this beautiful and instructive
volume should be found in every sportsman's library. On
sporting dogs Mr. Burges is what Baird, Brewer, and
Ridgway, are on birds, and his opinions are entitled to the
like respect. Hear now what Arnold Burges says on the
subject:
"Just when the dog was domesticated and made the com-
panion and servant of man is a question which cannot be
answered. The early history of his race is wrapped in the
obscurity of a far distant past. From Holy Writ we gather
proofs of his presence in the tents of the Israelites, while the
historian speaks of him as a retainer in the households of
the ancient Greeks and Romans. In the British Museum
there is a has relief exhumed from the ruins of Nineveh
which represents the dog as taking part in the chase, and
relics of later days from Pompeii present him in all the fa-
miliar relations which he bears at the present day.
It is certain, then, that for many ages the dog has been
associated with man, following his fortunes, and rendering
him faithful and loving service. Confined to no particular
2G
202 PRANK SCIILEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
division of the globe, but essentially cosmopolitan, he exists
wherever man dwells, and relatively keeps pace with his
master in development of intelligence and the higher attri-
butes of his nature. It is very reasonable to suppose that
the dog, like many other species of animals, was divided
into different families, according to the localities in which
he dwelt, and the influence to which he was subjected.
The best of modern writers, among whom I may men-
tion "Stonehenge," Laverack, and "Idstone," all say that
the Setter is a direct descendant of the Land Spaniel, and
speak of a "Setting Spaniel" as the first Setter. There is
no doubt that this is a correct theory, and that our Setter
is a pure, unadulterated, but improved, Spaniel. "Stone-
henge" saj's: "A Duke of Northumberland trained one to
set birds in 1555, and shortly after the Setter was pro-
duced." It must be borne in mind that the "Setting Span-
iel" was a very different dog from the Spaniel of the
present time, which does not as a rule, and never has dis-
played, a faculty for setting or pointing game. The old
Setting Spaniel has lost his identity by merging it in his
descendant, the Setter; in fact, this Spaniel may be said to
have become extinct by the breeding of an improved ani-
mal. "Idstone," in his work on the dog, says: "The
English Setter was known in England man}- 3'ears before
the Pointer was introduced, and 1 have little doubt tliat he
followed the Eomans, or was brought with them."
"Stonehenge" also says: "He is the most national of all
our dogs, and certainly has existed for four centuries."
The trans Atlantic Setter family is now divided into three
great national classes, the English, Irish, and Gordon or
Scotch varieties; each with its strongl}^ marked distinc-
tions of form, color, and style of performance. These may
be considered the only Setters worthy of note, for though
there are certainly a immber of continental breeds, they
cannot compare with those I have mentioned. In this
country our best dogs are, as a class, those recently im-
])orted or the descendants of imported stock, although we
Jiow and then find a dog to which the title "native" may
SPORTING DOGS. 203
be iipt'v applied, (since all trace of his descent from any
pjirtieiilar strain has been lost,) that in the field can, for
nose, jnice, and staunchness, hold his own against any of his
more aristocratic confreres. Here, however, he stops.
The Setter is at present the favorite with sportsmen
generall}', and, ior my part, I think he is fiill}^ entitled to
this honor; since both my own experience, and such evi-
dence as I have been able to collect, show that he is unde-
niably better adapted for all kinds of work than any other
field dog. As to which of the diflterent varieties is the best
it is certainly a difficult question to answer without preju-
dice. Each has its friends and partisans, and as between
good things it is hard to make a selection I can only say
that either ia good enough, and my readers may follow the
dictates of their own fanc}' without fear of getting an in-
ferior animal provided they are careful to get pure blood.
It was not until the Setter had been for many years a
resident of Great Britain that the Pointer made his first
appearance in that realm, being imported from Spain by
some admirer of his keen nose and indomitable staunchness.
The original color was liver and white, and the dog was
large boned, with a heavy head and slack loins. In the
field he possessed exquisite scenting powers, but was surly
and cross in disposition, stubborn, and almost devoid of
aifection for his master. Of his origin nothing is positively
known, but most of the old time authorities consider him
a cross from some of the larger hounds.
Whatever ma}" have been the descent of the old Span-
iard, whether pure or of hound extraction as these authors
assert, the modern Pointer is essentially a made-up dog.
From his slow and pottering style, the Spaniard soon
came to be regarded with disfavor, and breeders cast about
them for some cross which would produce a dog perpetu-
ating the Bose and staunchness of his ancestor, but gifted
with a better form and more speed. To gain these, Fox-
hound blood was introduced with the happiest results: and
towards the close of the last century "Dash," a liver and
white dog belonging to Col. Thornton, showed such supe-
204 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
rior qualities that he was sold for one hundred and twenty
guineas and a cask of Medeira. This cross introduced dif.
ferent colors, and we have now the self or uniform colors, —
such as white, liver, lemon, black, — and the black and tan,
and mixed colors. Various other ^crosses have been intro-
duced from time to time, as experiments, until the dog of
to-day is the result of several combined strains of blood.
The Pointer has no such strongly marked natural divi-
sions as the Setter, and the principal distinction between
families lie in the color (which has been adopted and bred
by different sportsmen) and the size. This last is divided
by English show judges into three classes, viz., large, me-
dium, and small. The weight of the large Pointer is from
seventy pounds upwards; of the medium, from fifty-five to
sixty, and of the small variety from forty-five to fifty, the
bitches in each class being from five to ten pounds lighter
than the dogs.
The greatest fault (and it is undeniably a great one) in
the modern Pointer is his delicacy. AVhile thei Spanish
Pointer was a rough-coated, thick-skinned animal, the dog
of this day has a fine, satin-like coat, and a skin so thin
that he is unfit for cold or severe work upon the half frozen
marshes, or in thorny covers. He may, indeed, endure such
for a time, through sheer pluck and courage, but it is only
a question of time with him, and he must eventually suc-
cumb to wounds, sore feet, or frost.
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DOG. 205
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DOG.
IV^lir R. BURGES says: However much critics may dif-
i|J^(^ t'er upon minor points, there can be no doubt of
^'' t heir all agreeing that the essential points of a ^od
4^7 dog are nose^ staunchness^ pace, endurance, intelli-
gence and high breeding These must be brought up to
the highest degree of perfection, and are each of such pri-
mary importance that the absence of either will at once
stamp the dog as an inferior animal. It is impossible, pro-
vided these qualities exist in a proportionate and well-bal-
anced degree, that any animal can be too largely endowed
with them ; but this perfect combination is a thing of rare
attainment, and hence it is that so many fall short of the
standard of excellence. A brief consideration of each point
will soon satisfy us of the truth of this assertion, and show
how great are the requirements of a perfect animal.
NOSE.
By nose we mean that keen and sensitive condition of
the olfactory nerves which enables the dog to snuff "the
tainted gale," and follow the unseen trail of the skulk-
ing Grouse or Cock to the very spot where it lies hid. To
do this uiider fixvorable conditions of wind and ground
is an easy task, and one that an ordinary animal can
accomplish; but when these conditions are not present,
and the ground and wind bear a faint and baffling scent,
and acuteness of perceptive faculty is required, belonging
only to the superior dog. To deserve such a high reputa-
tion a dog must be able to catch the faintest taint while
going at full speed up or across the wind, to detect at once
the presence of a close-lying bevy or a single bird, and to
206 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
lofjito it with certainty. The manner in which a dog car-
ries his nose may seem to the uninitiated a matter of mere
Ikncy ; but indeed it is far otherwise, since what avails it
that the nose be naturally good, provided it is so carried
that its power cannot be brought into play? In this con-
nection experience has taught us two things, viz.: Firsts
that as the scent naturally rises, and is the strongest in the
air, a high-headed dog can wind a bird much farther than
the low-headed one that follows by foot trail. Second, that
where birds are wild, the dog that carries his nose up,
drawing the scent directly from the body of the bird, can
approach much nearer to the game than the dog that
roads it up. So marked have been the proofs of this, that
•'low nose, no nose" has become with many sportsmen an
accepted rule, to w^hich the few exceptions furnish cor-
roborative testimony. From these f.icts it becomes evident
that to take a high rank for nose, style of carriage is justly
regarded as a very in\portant point; and I am satisfied
that all sportsmen who like myself have followed the dogs
on bad scenting days over rough mountain ridges after the
lordly Euffed Grouse, and who have seen some cautious
high-headed Setter get point after point before his lower-
headed companion, will join me in upholding a rule which
forms the best standard for the selection of animals wor-
th}' of the breaker's time and trouble.
STAUNCHNESS.
After the ability to find game, comes that sfanncJiness
and retention of point which allows the sportsman to
reap the reward of his arduous labors. How aptly come
now to mind the words I have already quoted, ^'then
shall your Setter stick "—yes, stand firm as a rooted pine,
fixed and immovable. The beauty of such a point Avith
all its attractive details of attitude, rigid, yet thrilling
and quivering with latent life; its expression eloquent
with mingled excitement, caution and j^leasure, as the^hot
scent is eagerly drunk up by the broad expanded nos-
WHAT CONSTITUTES A (lOUD DOO. 207
trils, would furnish a fitting subject for the artist's [)cii-
cil, if it was not far beyond the power of any pencil, even
that which has so lately fallen from the dead hand of tne
great master of animal painters.
Inspirin<^ as such a spectacle is, the practical benetits of
thorough staunchness are of much more consequence, as
without this quality the Setter or Pointer is no hotter than
tlie Spaniel, if as good. In working up and finding game,
especially in cover, a good Spaniel will undoubtedly find as
many birds as either; but as he makes no point, many
rtiiots are lost from the inability of the shooter to get a
favorable position before starting his bird. I do not think
It ])ossible for a dog to be too staunch, though I have seen
some that were very difficult to break from this very qual-
ity, as it was almost impossible to make them leave the
first point and move up to the bird. Probably no dog ever
had staunchness so largely developed as jthc old Spanish
Pointer, which "Idstone" says (quoting from the Sporting
Magazine) has been known to stand *'for as many as twelve
hours;" and in another place he speaks of an instance re-
lated to him by a reliable witness, who "came upon a dog
which had been frozen dead upon his point, probably being
overlooked or lost by his owner towards the decline of day ;
but there was the poor victim, stark and dead — a martyr
to his profession, a victim to his training and culture." It
is true that our dogs do not make such lasting points as
this;*and,«indeed, I should consider it the height of cruelty
to try a dog in such a manner; but wc have dogs staunch
enough for all practical pur])oses, and during my own ex-
perience I can recall several cases where dogs have been
lost in thick cover and found perhaps an hour afterwards,
standing staunchly. I also once owned a black and blue
dog that I do not think could be induced by any means to
break his point after once reaching his bird. I tried to
teach him to put up his birds at the word, but in vain, for
rather than go on he would charge to point — this was,
however, only the case with birds that had not been fired
208 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SUOOTINCi.
at, as I had no trouble in making him retrieve a dead or
wounded bird after pointing' it.
Of such absolute importance do I (jonsider staunchness,
that if I had a dog which possessed in aii eminent degree
every other qualification but was unreliable in this respect
I would not give him Kennel room. I have frequently
heard men (who, to do them justice, were good shots,) say
that they did not care to have a dog stand any longer than
just to show that he had found; but I still say that when
I do not care to have a dog stand I will take up with a
Spaniel, for so long as I follow a Setter I want him to show
this most beautiful and convincing proof of his ancient and
royal blood.
PACE.
Pace is but another name for the speed which a dog ex-
hibits in beating his ground. It is in the highest degree
essential, because it saves the master both time and labor
in filling his bag. With a slow dog, the gun must either
follow all over a field or wait at the end of the beat till the
potterer has come up. Any one who has seen a fine, high-
couraged dog hunting at a slashing gallop, losing no time
over blank ground, but speeding on to the corner where
the bevy lies hid, and there finding his birds in half the
time his slower brothfer would consume, will fully appreci-
ate the difference in the two systems. In shooting Pin-
nated Grouse upon the prairies we find a sport which,
more than any other upon this continent, resembles Eng-
lish Grouse-shooting; and here, from the wide range of
country to be beaten, we need jmce to get over the ground.
The same may be said of Snipe, and Quail-shooting ; and the
only case where a high rate of speed is undesirable is in
cover work. In hunting Woodcock and Buffed Grouse the
dog must, as a rule, keep within shot of the gun, for be-
yond this he will be liable to be lost when standing, to say
nothing of utterly losing all shots at birds which rise wild,
and will not he to point. U^> to a certain limit then, pace
WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD DOG. 209
is a consummation devoutly to be wished for; but decidedly
there are limits which cannot be passed without entailing
a greater loss than gain. As, for example, a prominent
English breeder says he "does not want a dog that will
find the greatest number of birds in a given piece of
ground, but one that will find the greatest number in a
day.'' Virtually this means that he considers it of no conse-
quence if the dog runs over or by a part of a scattered
pack, provided he has speed enough to find a fresh pack
quickly. This mtiy do for field trials, or even on well-
stocked ground, but it will not do for work in this coun-
try, as game is none too plentiful, and our sportsmen espe-
cially need a dog that will find single birds after a bevy has
been broken up; and a dog which goes so fast that he over-
runs close-lying birds is worthless, and will be beaten out
of sight by a dog of more moderate pace.
ENDURANCE.
So long as a dog does not go fast enough to over-run
scent, or bej^ond his powers to endure continued work, the
proper limits are not exceeded.
Upon a dog's powers of endurance practically depends
his usefulness in the field. I have already spoken of the
amount of work frequently demanded of our dogs, and it
must be evident that to meet this fairly they must be en-
dowed naturally with good constitutions, combined with
strong, vigorous frames. These are the foundations upon
which, by proper care and training, an enduring dog can
be built up. A dog without thorough endurance is not
worth his keep. No dog can by any possibility carry this
to an undue extent, or become too strong and tireless.
Every additional day that he is able to work adds to rather
than detracts from his value; and he i^ indeed a fortunate
man who owns a dog for whom no day is so long or hard
that he will not give the gun a joyous welcome on the
succeeding morning.
27
210 FRANK Schley's partridge and pheasant shooting.
INTELLIGENCE.
There are as widely different degrees of intelligence be-
tween dogs as between members of the human famil}", but
I think I am safe in claiming that, as a rule, highly-bred
dogs possess greater intelligence than their plebeian broth-
ers. It is generally claimed that a dog does not possess
reasoning power, but that his actions are purely instinc-
tive; yet we often witness exhibitions of a faculty which
trenches so closely upon the boundaries of the nobler at-
tributes that it is hard to say where the dividing line is
drawn. It is this capacity for appreciating and combining
facts which enables the intelligent dog to acquire such a
knowledge of the habits and nature of his game that he is
often able to outwit the bird by a display of superior tac-
tics. Any ordinary dog soon learns to follow a trail till
the bird flushes or lies to point; but it requires a higher
order of intellect to prompt the dog voluntarily to head a
running bird so as to get it between himself and the gun.
A truly intelligent dog is constantly advancing; his in-
stinct or mind never rests, but goes on adding to its store
of experience, so that when any emergencj' arises he is
prepared to meet it with a corresponding action unerringly
directed towards the attainment of success.
That most eloquent of sporting writers, Herbert, known
to the craft as "Frank Forrester," in speaking of breeding,
said : "In all animals, from man down to the bullock and
Berkshire hog, I am an implicit believer in the efficacy of
blood and breeding to develope all qualities, especially cour-
age to do, and courage to bear, as well as to produce the
highest and most delicate nervous organization ; and I
would as willingly have a cur in my shooting kennel as a
mule in my racing stable, if I had one." In this theory
Herbert is thoroughly supported by all experienced breed-
ers. "Blood will tell" is not more an old saying than a
positive fact, and though there is no rule without its ex-
ceptions, there are probably fewer exceptions to this than
to any other.
CHOOSING A DOG. 211
'uf'
CHOOSING A DOG.
R. BUEGES says: In choosing a dog, the first thing
|| to be considered, then, is blood, for though there
-^^^ may be and certainly are some dogs which have no
W^ definite pedigree, 3'et are first-class performers in
the field, the advantages of superior blood are too evident
to be neglected when contemplating a purchase. In all
cases where a dog is represented as belonging to a partic-
ular stock, examine him to see if he bears the marks of
that stock. Do not be imposed upon by the assertion that
the dog is pure blooded, but is mismarked. Remember
that there are certain colors which have belonged to each
blood for so man}^ years that any change in these is the
strongest proof of an outer oss.
Each of the prominent breeds of Setters, viz.: English,
Irish and Gordon, has its individual and recognized color
or colors, and as these are unknown to many of our sports-
men, I give the following as rules for judgment, in which I
am supported by the leading sporting authorities of Eng-
land.
Of the English Setter, "Stonehenge," in his '^Dogs of
the British Isles,'' says : "We place the colors in order of
merit : 1 — Orange and white, with freckled nose and legs ;
2 — Orange and white; 3 — ^Lemon and white; 4 — Black and
white ticked, with slight tanned spots on feet and legs,
commonly called Belton greys ; 5 — Pure white ; 6 — Black ;
7— Fallow or yellow ; 8 — Liver, or liver and white." In
"The Setter." Mr. Laverack mentions these colors, and
gives the colors of a breed bearing his name, the blood of
which can be traced back for over eighty years. Color
black, or blue and white ticked. * * * * "There is
another variety of the same strain, called the lemon and
212 FRANK SCHLKY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
white Belton, exactly the same breed and blood. These
are marked similar to the blues, except being spotted all
through with lemon color instead of blue."
By the expression "ticked" it is understood that the
marking is in minute spots of blue, black or lemon, on
white ground.
The color of the Irish Setter, like the Gordon, is in some
respects in controversy. "Stonehenge" says: "The blood
red, or rich chestnut or mahogany color, the deep rich red —
not golden, not fallow, nor yellow, nor fawn — but deep
pure blood red, is the color of an Irish Setter of high mark.
This color must be unmixed with black, and tested by a
strong light; there must not be black shadows or waves,
much less black fringe to the ear, or profile to the frame.
There are good Irish Setters nearl}- white, red and white,
black-tan, or intimatel}^ crossed with black-tan, and in the
last case showing the distinctive marks of the cross in the
black tipping of the coat, which Irish judges consider a
very great fault in color." Practically the same are the ex-
pressions of Laverack and "Idstone," though the former
says, "My firm belief is that no Irish Setter exists without
throwing back occasionally to black." He also says that
there is a breed of deep red and white Irish dogs as pure
if not purer than the red.
The Duke of Gordon is justly credited with having
brought the breed named after him to its present perfec-
tion, and it has ever been a question where he got his col-
ors from. According to some they were obtained by cross-
ing to a colly or shepherd bitch, but the generally accepted
opinion is that he introduced the red Irish blood into his
kennel. The best authorities agree that there can be but
four shades or mixed colors in the pure Gordon. First of
these at the present time, according to "Stonehenge,"
"Idstone," Laverack, and all other authorities, stands the
black and tan; indeed, Laverack says, "Originally, the
Gordon Setters were all black and tan."
It is certain, however, that the Duke of Gordon was very
partial to the black, white and tan, and in this connection
CHOOSING A DOG. 213
Laverack speaks of a visit to Castle Gordon, two years
after the death of the Duke, and says, "then and now, all
the Gordon Castle Setters were black, white and tan."
Without regard to where the cross was obtained, all
judges agree that the only admissible colors for the Gordon
are black and tan; black, white and tan; deep red; and
pure black. These colors must also be extreme shades—
that is, the black must be a raven black, and the red a rich
blood hue. This restriction of color certainly marks this
dog as clearly as possible, and when taken in connection
with his peculiar form, renders it impossible to confound
him with any oth«r. The only poisibility of error would
be in mistaking the red Gordons for Irish dogs, but the
build and general appearance of the two diifer so much
that there is but little chance for this, provided the exam-
iner has any knowledge of the two breeds.
Now, as each of these great varieties of Setters has its
own predominant color, it becomes evident that it is pos-
sible for a good dog to have a bad color: that is, for a good
dog in the field to be of a color which proves he has other
blood in his veins than that which his name indicates. For
instance, if a man has an orange and white, liver, or liver
and white dog and calls him a Gordon, the skilled judge,
knowing that such colors do not belong to the Gordon at
all, at once pronounces the dog not pure. Neither would
a blue ticked dog pass for Irish, nor a blood red for a Lav-
erack, unless in the latter case sufficiently strong evidence
be brought forward to prove descent despite the suspicious
color.
Color, then, affords one of the best standards by which
a purchaser can judge the purify of blood in the Setter
offered him. It is also essential that he have sufficient idea
of the build and form of each breed to avoid error when
the colors confound him.
Being assured of the blood, examine the dog carefully to
see that he is well formed for endurance, pace, nose, and
intelligence. In the Setter, the head should be high and
archeil between the ears. The nose, from the corner of
214 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
the eye to. the tip, should be from four to four and a-half
inches long; at the end it should be squarely cut, though
not with heavy pendulous lips; the nostrils should be open,
moist, and delicately sensitive; avoid by all means every
approach to the double or split nose, a mark which never
belongs to any pure breed of Setter, whatsoever. The
ears should be set low on the head and should hang close
to the cheeks; they should be largest at the point of in-
tersection with the head, and should be handsomely feath-
ered to the tips, which should be rounded and not triangu-
lar or sharp-pointed; under no circumstances should they
be cocked, as that lends a very cur-like look to the animal.
The neck should be long and flexible, with a clean cut
connection with the head. The shoulders should be well
developed with long blades, and the legs strong, though
not clumsy in bone; they should have large joints at knee
and pastern, and should incline slightly forward in front,
80 that when standing the feet will be a little in advance
of a perpendicular; the hind legs should be long to the
hock, with short lower limbs. The feet should be round
and cat-like, with the toes arched and springy, and with
thick tufts of hair between them to protect the foot when
hunting. The chest should be deep, to allow room for the
heart and lungs ; there is a great distinction between a deep
and a broad chest, the latter giving a heavy and clumsy
appearance to the dog, which is generally sustained in the
field by his proving slow and unable to do fast w^ork. The
ribs should be arched but not rounded, and the back ones
should be as deep as possible, giving strength and support
to the frame. The hips should be large and wide ; the tail
well set. deeply feathered in the center, running to a sharp
tip, and carried below the line of the back with a slight
curve upwards. The coat should be fine and silky, abso-
lutely devoid of curl, and as straight and flat as possible ;
it should be of medium weight and have a tendency to
part down the middle of the back. The carriage and ap-
pearance of the entire animal should be sprightly and teem-
CHOOSING A DOG. 215
ing with intelligence, active life, while the disposition should
be affectionate and free from obstinacy or willfulness.
In selecting a Pointer, color is no proof of blood, as this
dog has no distinct family marking like the Setter. It is,
however, generally conceded that a large proportion of
white is desirable, as this renders the dog more conspicu-
ous when on point. "Stonehenge" says: "White, with
black, liver, j^ellow or lemon-colored heads, are the most
prized. Self-colored dogs, as the liver or black, are very
handsome, and the latter are certainly popular in this
country; but both are hard to distinguish when working
in cover, or on dark frost-brovvned ground. Due regard
must be paid to pedigree and form. In the latter the Poin-
ter differs considerably from the Setter, being of different
origin. The best Pointer has a medium sized head, with
more width and less height than the Setter; a high fore-
head ; broad square muzzle ; strongly marked though not
pendant lips ; long, arched neck, with clean throat free
from loose folds of skin ; long body, with strong loins, wide
hips, and more arched ribs than the Setter. The chest
should be deep, but not too thin or flat-sided. The tail
should be large and strong at the root, but drawn I'apidly
to a fine string-like tip. The shoulders should be long,
slanting and muscular, and the legs long in the fore-arm and
short from the knee to foot. The elbow should be placed
well below the chest to allow of free action and speed.
The feet should be round and cat-like, with toes well
arched and strong, that the arches may not break down
with work. The soles should be tough and thick, or the
dog will come lame on rough ground. The coat in im-
ported animals should be short, fine and soft, but a coarser
and more wiry coat is better adapted for work in this
country. The disposition should be mild, kindly and in-
telligent."
The next thing, if you are buying a broken dog, is to see
him in the field and under the gun. This is absolutely
essential, because there are large numbers of dogs finely
yard-broken, and under perfect control when free from the
216 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
excitement of hunting, which when in the field are utterly
valueless for lack of proper handling. See that the dog
ranges well, carries his head up, shows a good nose, is un-
der good control, staunch on point and charge, and a ten-
der-mouthed retriever. All except nose, pointing and
retrieving can be determined at any season of the year,
and in any field, and where these cannot be tested, they
must be made the subject of a warranty. I have said the
dog must be tried under the gun, because in the course of
my experience I have seen gun-shy dogs, that taken into
a field or cover without a gun would work splendidly and
deceive the purchaser into the idea that he was getting a
very superior animal, but the moment the gun was taken
out they would either refuse to stir from heel, or run away
altogether. To test this all that is necessary is to fire a
gun over him; this will also show whether he is a steady
charger or a shot-breaker, the latter not conclusively but
presumptively, as some dogs will break shot when they see
the game fall, but charge steadily at all other times. Of
course the only absolute and positive test is actual work
upon game during the season, but as it is often desirable
to purchase a dog before the season opens, a man of expe-
rience can generally determine the style of the dog by such
a trial as I have mentioned. In the case of a tyro he had
better by all means get a competent friend to examine and
try the dog for him.
DOGS ADAPTED TO SPORTING IN AMERICA. 217
DOGS ADAPTED TO SPOETING IN AMERICA.
|R. BUEGES says: There are five varieties of dogs
adapted to American field sports, but of these two
have only a limited sphere of usefulness. All of
our sporting may be done with Setters, Pointers,
Spaniels, Retrievers and small Hounds, and the object of
this chapter will be to show the use of each of these, and
which of the three former is best calculated to most fully
meet the requirements of the sportsman who seeks a dog
for general work.
In considering this question intelligently, a due regard
must be had for the circumstances of our sportsmen, and
the nature and peculiarities of our hunting grounds and
game birds. As the surface of our country presents every
variety of ground frequented by the sportsman, and the
birds which we seek are very diverse in character, it is
evident that to fully meet all requirements a kennel of
several breeds might be maintained and hunted to advant-
age; but as an offset to this we have the well-known fact
that but very few of our sportsmen are in such circum-
stances, either pecuniarily or in point of habitation, as to
allow of the keeping up of such an extensive establish-
ment. The great majority keep but one dog, and with this
they expect to do general work ; consequently they want
the best dog for work at all times and over all kinds of
country, whether brake, bog or upland.
The honor of first place must lie between the Setter and
Pointer, since, as we shall presently see, the Spaniel has
such a narrow field for the display of his qualities that he
is practically entirely out of the competition. With the
field thus reduced to two, a choice can be fairlj- made, since
•we have only to give the dogs a thorough test by actual
28
218 PRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
work, and select that one which shows the greater capa-
city for adapting himself to all wants.
I have said that the Spaniel has a limited sphere, and is
consequently unable to compete with either Pointer or Set-
ter, but lest I be accused of injustice towards this willing
and faithful little fellow, I will pause a moment to con-
sider what his chief uses are. According to his most ardent
admirers his proper place is in the thick covers haunted
by the Ruffed Grouse, or Woodcock, and his work consists
in finding these birds and flushing them for the gun, first
giving notice of the game by a whimper that swells into
a sharp yelp as the bird takes wing. Now, granting (to
save argument upon this point) that this is the most sports-
manlike and killing way of hunting cover, it must at least
be conceded that the Spaniel is of no use in the open, where
from staunchness at point we can allow dogs thus endowed
to range over ten times the ground, and consequently to
find ten times the game, that a Spaniel could, since he must
be hunted within gun-shot all the time in order to give any
shots. Comparatively little of our hunting is in such very
thick cover that a good brush shot cannot go up to his Set-
ter when on a point and kill his bird as it gets up. I have
indeed seen such places, and have often found birds quite
plentiful in them, owing to the fact that the difficulty of
the shooting kept hunters away. Under such circum-
stances Spaniels would certainly prove killing dogs. I
know, too, that some men use them to tree Ruffed Grouse;
but as I am writing for those true sportsmen who would
scorn to pot this gallant bird, and who esteem a bag not
from its numbers, but for the skill by which it is obtained, I
will not make further mention of this practice, but pass
on, considering that I have sustained my assertion regard-
ing the Spaniel.
The dog that we want must work equally well in cover
and open. He must be staunch enough to range the stub-
bles or prairies for the Quail or Pinnated Grouse, and tough
enough to hunt day after daj' through cat-briars and thick-
ets for Woodcock and Ruffed Grouse, and over wet, cold
DOGS ADAPTED TO SPORTING IN AMERICA. 219 ^
marsh lands for Spring Snipe. Both Pointers and Setters
have their warm friends and advocates, but in my opinion
the Setter is far the most generally useful animal, and con-
sequently the dog for this country. In support of this esti-
mate I quote again from Laverack, who says: "That the
Setter is the most generally useful of shooting dogs, I lancy
few will deny, being possessed of more lasting powers of
endurance, therefore better adapted for all localities and
weathers. The Setter can stand cold or heat alike; the
hair on his feet and between his toes allows him to hunt
rough cover as well as the Spaniel." In the course of over '
twenty 3'ears experience in the field I have met with a
great many dogs, and have seen Pointers and Setters thor-
oughly tested together, yet have never found the Pointer
that could follow a good Setter halfway through a season,
beginning with Snipe in March and ending with Ruffed
Grouse in December, nor do I believe the Pointer ever ex-
isted that could do this. It has never been my fortune to
hunt much in the Southern States, and I know the Poin-
ter is very popular there, so I wull concede him superiority
in those portions where the ground is dry and open and
the climate hot; I will also grant that for Grouse shooting
on the prairies from August 15 to October 10 he can beat
the Setter, because generally the prairies are very dry
and the Setter needs water even more than the Pointer;
but here his superiority ends; each of these dogs has his
sphere, and this is the Pointer's. It is, however, limited
both in extent and in time, for no sooner have the extreme
heats of Summer passed than the Setter can go to the
prairies and do fully as good work as the Pointer, proving
himself in all respects equal on the Pointer's own ground,
while the latter dog cannot follow the Setter through
tangled cockbrakes in July, nor through the frost-hardened,
thorny covers where the Fall woodland game birds dwell.
These assertions are not matters of mere personal opin-
ion, for they are susceptible of proof, and I know that they
are endorsed by most if not all of our practically experi-
enced sportsmen, as w^ell as foreign authorities, one of
220 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
whom — "Stonehenge" — bears the following testimony:
"Moreover, where there is not heather there are bogs, both
in Irish and Scotch moors, and on wet ground the Setter
is also better than the Pointer, as he is more enduring of
fatigue, cold and wet.'*
I have heard of Pointers which had pluck enough to face
the thickest cover, and whose owners would back them
against any Setter; but such dogs have generally belonged
to gentlemen who could leave their business for only an
occasional day, and as their dogs performed well upon such
occasions they deemed it conclusive evidence that they
would do well on all, when the real fact is that such lim-
ited tests really form no standard for just judgment. Any
man can satisfy himself on this point if he will but give the
matter a fair trial, not of an occasional day, but of three
mt)nth's honest, hard work. Let him start the dogs to-
gether on a prairie on the 1st of October and work East
to New England, and before the middle of December he
will be a convert to my opinion, if he is working his Poin-
ter against a Setter worthy of the name.
Leaving the question of endurance, there is another
mooted point worthy of consideration, viz. : nose. This is
a more difficult matter to settle than the other, at least in
this country, where we have yet no extensive field trials
at which great numbers of both breeds can compete, so
that this quality can be tested sufficiently to make it a
trial of the race and not of a few individuals only. It
must therefore remain a matter of opinion, unless we are
willing to decide it by the expressed convictions of promi-
nent authorities. Turning again to Laverack, I find the
following words: "There is no doubt that good bred Set-
ters are quite as keen of nose as Pointers." Another wri-
ter — Daniel — in his Work on "Rural Sports," says of Set-
ters : "Their noses are undoubtedly superior." I do not
claim the last, but agree more nearly with Laverack, and
think the nose equally good in both, so far as 1 can judge
from the specimens I have encountered.
Again, the friends of the Pointer claim that he is easier
DOGS ADAPTED TO SPORTING IN AMERICA. 221
to break than tho Setter, and less inclined to grow rank
for want of work. I will admit this with certain limita-
tions, viz.: that the Pointer, from his general quiet dispo-
sition and lack of that dash and fire peculiar to the Setter,
is an easier dog for an inexperienced man to handle, and
for the same reason he will not show so wild at the first of
a season after months of neglect; but for an experienced
breaker, or any man that studies his dog's nature, I think
the Setter's dash is an extra attraction, and m}^ own ex-
perience after breaking a number of both breeds, shows
me that the Setter is less likely to be sullen in disposition,
and is generally a more willing worker in the training
field than the Pointer. As for rankness, that is the fault
of the owner alone, for if he will give his dog reasonable
exercise and keep him under control, or, if he cannot do
this, will slip the chain each day and give the dog a few
moments yard work, he will find there is no difficulty in
securing prompt obedience and steady work the first day
he takes the field. If a man cannot do this he should put
.his dog into the hands of a stead}^, reliable trainer, who
will do it for him; and if he will do neither, as I said be-
fore, it is his own fault if he has a wild dog at the opening
of the shooting, and I do not believe in condemning the
dog for his master's fault.
There remains yet one point to be brought forward in
favor of the Setter, viz.: retrieving. I claim the Setter as
a better general retriever because he will retrieve from
water, while as a rule the Pointer will not. It frequently
happens that a sportsman gets a day's Duck shooting, but
has so little of this that it will not pay him to keep a reg-
ular Duck dog, yet when he can slip away to the Chesa-
peake, or to some of our noted inland'TCSorts of water-
fowl, he wants a dog to bring his birds from the water. I
have both heard of and seen Pointers that would face
cold water, and even break their way through thin ice to
retrieve, but where you find one which will do this you •
will find a hundred that will not enter the water at all, ex-
cept in warm weather. On the other hand, the Setter can
222 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING.
always be made a good water retriever by proper hand-
ling, and though not so enduring for constant water-work
as a dog whose habits are more naturally aquatic, he will
render good service in this line; and as we are supposed
to be seeking a dog with the most varied and general
powers of attainment, this is certainly worthy of note, and
justly entitles him to higher rank than a dog which can-
not be thus used.
My deductions from the foregoing are: If a man lives in
a country abounding in small patches of thick cover and
is not a good enough shot to kill his birds therein, let him
use a Spaniel to drive the birds out ; if he lives in a hot,
dry country, and never shoots elsewhere, a Pointer will
suit him best; but if he wants a dog for all kinds of work,
and over which he can kill every variety of game bird with
the least regard to cover, footing or temperature, let him
get a high-couraged, pure-blooded Setter, intelligently han-
dle and break him, treat him well, and fear no form of dog
that can be brought against him. Such a dog I j)ronounce
the best animal for Am^ican upland shooting."
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