Hunters in Search of Game

After describing this scene (CR# 403), Miller commented upon the game that the Indians were pursuing:

The Rocky Mountain pheasant is totally unknown in the States,–being nearly as large as a full grown turkey;–feeding principally on Artemesia [sic] gave a wild and rather bitter taste to its flesh. The Hare of this part of the country is also sui generis, and in taste not perceptibly different from rabbit,–A large tortoise was occasionally captured, and altogether different from any we had before seen. Its outside shell (top and bottom) was soft.

This is one of a number of paintings in which Miller attempts to illustrate the life of the nomadic Indians.

Ron Tyler