Herbert recognized the males by the two wing-like appendages raised on the neck.

Pencroft determined to get hold of at least one of these gallinaceae, which were as large as a fowl, and whose flesh is better than that of a pullet.

But it was difficult, for they would not allow themselves to be approached.

After several fruitless attempts, which resulted in nothing but scaring the grouse, the sailor said to the lad,-- "Decidedly, since we can't kill them on the wing, we must try to take them with a line." "Like a fish ?" cried Herbert, much surprised at the proposal.
"Like a fish," replied the sailor quite seriously.

Pencroft had found among the grass half a dozen grouse nests, each having three or four eggs.