320 REPORT OF THE COMMISSIONERS OF 



collect in groups on the ground in a sheltered spot, as under a log or roots of an old 

 stump, bush pile or fence corner, forming a circle, with their tails pointing in together 

 and their bodies touching, sitting as it were in the radii of a circle, ready to fly 

 outward in every direction toward the circumference the instant an alarm is given. 

 When not molested, they may remain as long as two days and two nights (if there be 

 deep snow) in this spot without moving; but if they are driven from this by being 

 frightened by an enemy, they forsake it forever, as a rabbit does a " form " where it 

 has been discovered. When they take flight from such a resting-place, the noise of 

 their whirring wings is so great that it has been compared to the veritable explosion 

 of a miniature dynamite bomb. 



One probable reason for their absence in the northern part of the State of New 

 York is the deep snow fall, which annually would cover them to such a depth as to 

 cause the death of the entire covey. It is almost impossible for them to escape the 

 injurious effects of the very deep snow, and especially when a crust forms over them 

 it is almost certain to prove fatal. They also suffer greatly from starvation during 

 prolonged periods of snow, and persons living where these ver}- useful and beautiful 

 birds occur, cannot do a more beneficial or charitable act than to scatter on the snow 

 seeds, grain, or crumbs, in order that their feathered friends may be nourished in 

 time of need and distress. They are not found in great abundance in any part of our 

 State, but are more numerous on Long Island than at other places. Efforts to trans- 

 plant them into the Adirondacks have not been crowned with as great success as was 

 anticipated, although a few colonies are to be found in the vicinity of Lake George, 

 where they were introduced by artificial means some years ago. 



The quail is of great economic value aside from the fact that it is a favorite 

 popular game bird, and also becomes an important and valuable item in the food of 

 man. The food of the young is almost exclusively insects, and the adults are also 

 among the farmers' best friends as insect destroyers. Another important item of no 

 mean consideration is the vast number of weed-seeds which they destro)* annually. 

 There is probably no bird of greater economic value, and consequently every means 

 should be taken to protect and encourage this worthy bird. 



The Virginia quail has been introduced into Europe, but it is not much liked there 

 because it is said to drive off the gray partridge or European quail, which is 

 considered better food for man. 



Cases of quails killing themselves by flying against wires, walls, or buildings are 

 not rare. It appears that they fly with such terrific force when once frightened from 

 cover that they do not take time or have opportunity to choose their exact course 

 until it is too late. It is probable that in their hurried flight they watch their 

 pursuers more closely than the objects toward which they move. 



