GROUSE. 145

so, you will never forget it, we are sure. with prairie chickens. The grouse are
What a fuss the mother made; and among the things which our Heavenly
wasn't her back broken, and her wings Father has given us for food. In very
lopped, and her legs out of order, and many ways he provides for our wants.
almost everything else the matter with Let us thank him, and bless his name.
her? You were sure you could catch There are two passages in the Bible in
her, and so you started after her; but which the partridge is mentioned. The
she kept just out of your reach, with her name in Hebrew means the caller, and
broken back, and wings, and crippled the German hunters say of this bird, "it
legs; and so you did not get her. Then calls." David says of Saul, when he was
you thought you would have one of her so wickedly and foolishly pursuing him,
chicks, but you didn't get it Every one The king of Israel is come to seek a
of them had hidden while you were chas- flea, as when one doth hunt a partridge
ing Mother Grbuse, and this was just in the mountains." It is said there is a
what she wanted. She was only playing species of this bird which exactly an-
a trick on you, practicing deception, which swers to the description of David. They
you think strange enough in a bird; but choose the highest rocks and precipices
why should not a bird practice deception for their residence.
as well as a boy or a girl ? Why not bet- The other passage referred to, is where
ter? Can you tell me ? the prophet says: "As the partridge
 Much more might be said of grouse, sitteth on eggs, and hatcheth them not;
but we have said enough to convince you so he that getteth riches, and not by
that they are an interesting and some- right, shall leave them in the midst of
what singular class of birds, with not his days, and at his end shall be a fool."
over and above good dispositions. Most It is said that the Greek partridge fre-
kinds furnish excellent and delicate food, quently sits on eggs not her own; and
and we are quite sure, if you have ever when the owner comes she is driven
tasted of the ruffed grouse, commonly away before she can hatch them; and
called partridge, you have pronounced it she thus resembles one who obtains, for
better than turkey or chicken. From a time, another's property, but is com-
Northern Europe,grousein largenumbers pelled to leave it before he can render it
are sent to the city markets, and some of of any profit. And how many have
our cities are well supplied in the fall found this true!
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