HOB-WHITE. 171 



tree. We moved forward with three dogs, expecting to bring on an 

 engagement at once. We made the dogs approach cautiously, giving 

 them warning that game was in the immediate vicinity, but they 

 arrived at the identical spot where we had seen as many as thirty 

 birds alight, without making the least demonstration whatever that 

 there was anything unusual about the place. We knew better, and 

 made them go over and over, crossing and recrossing, until it seemed 

 every foot, every inch.of ground had been most thoroughly examined. 

 We did this until two sportsmen and three dogs gave up the pursuit. 

 It was now past noon, and we sat down on the grass, uncorked our 

 canteens and opened out our lunch. We were eating,^ talking and 

 laughing, occasionally rewarding the dogs with a cracker, when my 

 friend, by way of sport, said, 'Look at old Tom, he is on a point.' 

 The dog was standing half up, half down, with his nose thrown under 

 his chest between his front legs. Sure enough he was on a point, for 

 there was the bird, with its bright black eyes, only partially concealed 

 by a leaf, almost under the dog's body. My friend put his hat over 

 it and caught it without moving from the dinner table. At that 

 instant another dog made a point within six inches of my feet. I 

 saw the bird at once, and tried to capture it with my hand, but it 

 made its escape. This was the signal for a general move, and the 

 whole covey now arose from all around and about us. The concert 

 of action in the manner of going down, retaining their scent, remain- 

 ing still under the most trying circumstances, and the mode of leaving^ 

 — all indicated an understanding and education by command how to 

 act in time of danger." 



Some time ago the Government of Ontario passed an Act prohibi- 

 ting the killing of quail under any circumstances for a period of three 

 years, and this law, coincident with mild winters, had the effect for 

 a time of increasing the numbers, but again they are greatly reduced 

 and in need of the protection which they well deserve. 



