part of October it disappears. On Long Island it is known to the gunners by the name of English Rail.

There are many other species of rail that frequent our seaboard, but the preceding ones are the most distinguished in the "sporting world ;" and convey to the reader a general idea of the habits and mode of shooting the entire species.

THE PLOVER.

EARLY in the month of May the Black-bellied Plover arrives among us from its winter quarters. After spending a few days on the sand-bars and beaches, it leaves for the north. In the month of August it returns with its young, which is so different in plumage that by many it is considered as a distinct species, being called Bull or Beetleheaded Plover. Though shy, it is frequently enticed within gun-shot by imitating its plaintive note. In autumn, it is distributed along the sea-coast, subsisting on minute shell-fish and marine insects, on which it gets very fat. It remains with us until the latter part of September, when it moves southward, its migratory course extending to the southernmost extremity of the Union.

The American Golden Plover arrives on Long Island in the latter part of April, and soon passes on to the northern regions, where it is said to breed. In the early part of September, on its return from its natal abode, it frequents Hempstead Plains, Shinnecock Hills and Montauk, where it feeds on a variety of insects abounding in such places; grasshoppers seem to be its favourite fare, and when berries can be obtained, they also contribute to its support.

I have occasionally shot it along the shores and along the ponds on the low wet meadows; but in general it prefers high dry lands unincumbered with woods. The Hempstead Plains are well adapted to its habits, and during some seasons it is quite abundant on this miniature prairie. It is better known to our gunners

by the name of "Frost Bird," so called by being more plentiful during the early frosts of autumn, at which season it is generally in fine condition, and exceedingly fine-flavoured. Commanding a high price in the New York markets, it is eagerly sought after by the gunners; and not requiring the fatigue and exposure attending the shooting of shore-birds, it affords much amusement to sportsmen.

On the ground, the golden plover displays a great deal of activity, and when observed, often runs with considerable rapidity before taking wing. It is less timid than the black-bellied plover, and is easily decoyed by imitating its peculiar mellow note. I have often observed it, when passing in a different direction from that in which I was lying, check its course, wheel round, and present an easy mark. Its stay with us, as before mentioned, is very short, and as the season advances it returns southward. It associates in flocks, and when migrating moves off in a regular

manner.

The American Ring Plover, though smaller, resembles in plumage the Ring Plover of Europe. It is seen at the north as early as May and June, and returns south late in the autumn; generally to Florida, where it spends its winter.

Wilson's Plover in plumage much resembles the preceding, but is distinguished by a much longer and stouter bill, which is black its entire length.

The Piping Plover is also common on Long Island, where it is known to the bay-men as the "Beach-bird."

The Kildeer Plover is more beautiful in plumage but less excellent in flavour than the other species. It prefers high dry grounds, especially in summer, but may in winter be found near the sea-shore.

THE RUFFED GROUSE.

THIS species of grouse far surpasses, in my opinion, as an article of food, every other land-bird which we have in the United States, except the wild turkey, when in good condition.

You must not be surprised that I thus express an opinion contradictory to that of our eastern epicures who greatly prefer that of the pinnated grouse to that of the present species,-for I have had abundant opportunity of knowing both.

The names of pheasant and partridge have been given to the present species by our forefathers, in the different districts where it is found. To the west of the Alleghanies, and on these mountains, the first name is generally used. The same appellation is generally employed in the middle districts, to the east of the mountains, and until you enter the state of Connecticut; after which that of partridge prevails.

The Ruffed Grouse, although a constant resident in the districts which it frequents, performs partial sorties at the approach of autumn. The grouse, in crossing broad rivers, which sometimes interrupt their course, approach the banks in numbers of eight or ten, and on arriving there, linger in the woods close by for a week or fortnight as if fearful of encountering the danger to be incurred. This usually occurs in October, when these birds are in the very best order for the table, and at this period great numbers of them are killed. If started from the ground, with or without a dog, they immediately alight on the nearest trees, and are easily shot. At length they resolve upon crossing the river; and this they accomplish with so much ease that I never saw any of them drop into the water. Not more than two or three days elapse after crossing, before they proceed to the interior of the forests, in search of places congenial to the general character of their habits.

Although these birds are particularly attached to the craggy sides of the mountains and hills, and the rocky borders of rivers and small streams, thickly mantled with evergreen trees and small shrubs of the same nature, they at times remove to lowlands,

and even enter the thickest cane-brakes, where they also sometimes breed.

The flight of the ruffed grouse is straight forward, rather low, unless when the bird has been disturbed, and seldom protracted beyond a few hundred yards at a time. It is also stiff, and performed with a continual beating of the wings for more than half its duration, after which it sails and seems to balance its body as it proceeds through the air, in the manner of a vessel sailing right before the wind. When this bird rises from the ground at a time when pursued by an enemy, or tracked by a dog, it produces a loud whirring sound, resembling that of the whole tribe. This whirring sound is never heard when the grouse rises of its own accord, for the purpose of removing from one place to another; and I do not believe it is emitted by any species of grouse unless when surprised and forced to rise. I have frequently, unobserved, noticed them rise, even to the tops of trees, as gently and softly as any other bird.

On the ground, where the ruffed grouse spends a large portion of its time, its motions are peculiarly graceful. It walks with an elevated firm step, opening its beautiful tail gently and with a well-marked jet, holding erect its head, the feathers of which are frequently raised, as are the velvety tufts of its neck; uttering a soft cluck, which implies a great degree of self-confidence. Should the bird discover that it is observed, its step immediately changes to a rapid run, its head is lowered, the tail is more widely spread, and if no convenient hiding-place is at hand, it immediately takes flight with as much of the whirring sound as it can produce. Should the grouse, however, run into a thicket, or even over a place where many dried leaves lie on the ground, it suddenly stops, squats, and remains close until the danger is over, or until it is forced by a dog, or the sportsman himself, to rise against his wish.

The shooting of this species of grouse is very precarious, and at times very difficult, on account of the nature of the places they usually prefer. Should, for instance, a covey of these birds be raised from amongst laurels, or the largest species of bay, these shrubs so intercept the view of them, that unless the sportsman proves quite an adept in the difficult art of pulling the trig

ger of his gun at the proper moment, and quickly, his first chance is lost, and the next is very uncertain. I say still more uncertain, because at this putting up of the birds, they generally rise higher over the bushes, flying in a straight course; whereas at the second start, they often fly among the laurels, and rise above them in a circuitous manner, when to follow them along the barrel of a gun is considerably more difficult. Sometimes, when these birds are found on the sides of a steep hill, the moment they start, they dive towards the foot of the declivity, take a turn, and fly off in a direction so different from the one expected, that unless the sportsman is aware of the trick, he may not see them again that day. The young birds often prove equally difficult to be obtained; for as they are raised from amongst the closelytangled laurels, they only fly a few yards, and again drop among them. A smart cur dog generally proves the best kind on these occasions; for no sooner does he start a covey, than his barking alarms the birds as much as the report of a gun, and causes them to rise and alight on the nearest trees, on which they may be shot at with great success.

A prevailing notion exists that on firing at the lowest of these birds perched on a tree, the next above will not fly, and that by continuing to shoot at the lowest in succession, the whole may be killed. This as a general thing is not the case, but in some instances it has proved too true, as it can only happen after longcontinued snows, when the birds are weak and emaciated, being unfit for the table. This practice is most unsportsmanlike and cruel, and should be entirely abandoned.

During spring and towards the latter part of autumn, at which time the ruffed grouse is heard drumming from different parts of the woods to which it resorts, I have shot many a fine cock by imitating the sound of its own wings striking against its body, which I did by beating a large inflated bullock's bladder with a stick, keeping up as much as possible the same time as that in which the bird beats. At the sound produced by the bladder and the stick, the male grouse, inflamed with jealousy, has flown directly towards me, when, being prepared, I have easily shot it. Early in the spring these birds are more easily approached than at any other time, but they are then thin in flesh; but about the