Philadelphia, January 23d, 1830.

Mr. Editor,

I have perused the numbers of your Sporting Magazine as they have appeared, without finding any thing in them relative to grouse-shooting. As I have been a shooter of this description of game for the last ten years, and considering it the finest sport in the game line that we have in this country, I am induced to give you a hasty sketch of my sport the present season, accompanied with a few observations. My hunting has always been on the coalings or barrens of New Jersey, though they are found in greater numbers in this State - the birds of the former, however, are always preferred.

My first trip was on the 20th of August, which, by the by, is mote than a month before the season, (1st of October,) according to the laws of that State, but less than a fortnight (1st of September) of the time it should commence - even thus early I found them very wild, and cut up into pairs and small packs, by previous hunters, who live in the neighbourhood, and commence upon them by the 1st of August, or in fact whenever they are to be found, equally regardless of their total extinguishment, or destroying a whole pack at a single fire, by killing a brooding hen. This at least should be remedied. Myself and companions, three in number, arrived at a. cabin near the hunting-ground on the evening previous, preferring a night's rest to one of fatigue and travelling, that we might be fresh for the morning's hunt - in this last reasonable expectation, we were, however, defeated, by an old sow and her progeny, who, doubtless, had been deposed to make room for us, and by whom we were annoyed almost unceasingly during the night, and before it was light, sans ceremonie, was determined to be reinstated in their lost possessions; part of her family having actually taken a berth alongside of us in bed - if an old blanket spread on some straw, and our great coats for covering, can merit the name of bed. We were all hunters, however, and expected slim accommodations in this part of the country, nor were we disappointed. After an early breakfast and some twenty minutes' walk, we found ourselves by a little after sunrise on the grouse ground. The morning was cool for so early in the season, damp, and windy - and in a very little time General 'A.'s celebrated old setter dog Bone, indicated sport close at hand, and our other three younger dogs became very eager, but to no purpose, as we found, after sufficient time for ranging and giving them pretty much their own way, that the birds had flushed. We pursued our route, and soon after crossing some unfavourable ground and a slough, Mr. C.'s young dog Pan soon struck on a trail, and my dog Major, who had crossed to the windward about a hundred yards, had actually brought up - the other dogs immediately backing as they discovered him. Now, all was trembling anxiousness. - we paused a moment for the better self-possession, and then walked ahead of the dogs. The first bird to rise, which is most generally the case, was the pinnated cock, who was immediately knocked down by General A.'s first barrel - this always should be endeavoured to be done, as you then have a much better chance of success with the balance of the pack. Not a word was spoken - all grouse-shooters are aware of the necessity of silence when game is supposed close at hand - indeed at no time of the hunt should any noise be made - you may fire as often as you choose without fear of flushing the birds, but the moment your voice is heard they will flush. As an instance in proof of this, a friend of mine last season but one, assured me that he had killed twelve birds out of a pack of thirteen, without picking up a bird till the last had rose, which he missed; therefore the necessity of having staunch and well-broken dogs in hunting them. There is not one young dog in fifty but that will ruin your sport in grouse-shooting. After his charging, we approached where we supposed the remaining birds to be, and soon flushed two more - both down - three barrels discharged. After re-loading, we continued to range this ground, but without any further success, it being no doubt the remains of a pack, and to which we gave the finale. We continued on through a very warm and oppressive day - the wind having lulled, and the sunbeams pouring down upon us, rendered it the most trying to one's nerve and bottom I ever experienced, and which can only be judged of by those who have experienced it, - with some fine trailing and standing at single birds, and most generally bagging them. They being found thus singly, proves what I have before said of their being killed off so early in the season. When we returned by the ground where, in the morning, we had been disappointed in sport - nor had we scarcely got on it, when old Bone (as tough as one yet, although thirteen years old), came to a full stop, with every nerve extended, and was soon backed by the others in the most splendid style - we walked in at once, without the morning's precaution of self-possession, as we had become somewhat accustomed to it by the day's sport, and flushed eight birds, almost at the same moment, a thing quite unusual, and only to be accounted for by their being so near each other, and preparing for roost By the rapid discharge of six barrels, five were knocked down - the other three crossing a stream bordered by cedars, settled in a cripple beyond, some five or six hundred yards from where they were put-up. We reloaded and pursued, but it had become too late to do any thing, and after putting up .one bird, and that getting off, we gave it up for the night, after a hard hunt and bagging fourteen grouse. The birds were then drawn, although dark, and stuffed with a peculiar description of wet moss, procurable only near streams of cedar water: returning to the cabin of pig and progeny, and taking a wee drop and a hasty luncheon, (the first of the latter since morning,) we soon departed for a more comfortable lodging in a less forlorn neighbourhood - Burlington, N. J.

At this early period in the season you can have but one day's shotting, if successful, as no method with which I am acquainted will preserve the birds more than a couple of days; and for that length of time it is necessary they should be drawn, as before observed, immediately after they are killed, and packed in powdered charcoal. Early in the season, when found in the savannah grounds, shot No, 5 or 6 is sufficiently large - later, when they are on high ground amongst the scrub oaks, shot No. 4 is the proper size.

The author of the "Shooter's Manual'9 recommends shot No. 3 and 4 early in the season, and No. 1 or single B. later. These sizes are much too large, and I doubt their ever being used as specified by him - or if ever used by him, proves at once what knowledge he possesses of this. species of game. I am acquainted with most of the grouse-hunters of the day, and I doubt being able to find one that at any time of the season ever used larger than No. 3. In the same work it is stated, that "grouse always feed and fly down the wind;" - this is erroneous, as I have known the contrary in both cases. Indeed, in the latter, it depends entirely on the direction they are come upon and flashed, as they always either make a slight angle, or fly straight from you - nine out of ten cases the latter is the fact, the wind to the contrary notwithstanding. And when once they have got their usual elevation, the direction of their flight is seldom varied, without their being forced or frightened from it. This I know to be a fact from observation, and the experience of ten successive years hunting them.

Yours, respectfully,

J.B. D.