“It has never seemed to me that enough could ever be written about the ruffed grouse. The nature of this grand bird is so above reproach that it must always be classed among the royalty in the great community of wild life. Its romantic wild haunts, its patrician habits, its princely bearing, its cyclone speed upon the wing, the marvelous skill with which it unerringly executes its aerial maneuvers, its poise and rare distinction of carriage, its keenly bred woodland intelligence, the beauty and appropriateness of its tawny plumage—whatever aspect you may take of this noble wild thing, you will find it perfect. Without irreverence I may truly say that it took God to imagine the ruffed grouse.”