BOB-WHITES AND QUAILS 



'1"1k' y<)un,t( arc lialclu'd aflcr alxuU iwciUy- 

 four days of incubation. They all pop out of 

 the shell at about the same time and are ready to 

 leave the nest as soon as their natal down is dry. 

 A farmer in mowing one day overran a nest as 

 the young were hatching. He was astonished 

 to see the little ones, just from the siicll. run 

 away and hide in the grass. Thus nature pro- 

 vides for their safety. When surprised by a 

 sudden intruder the mother tries to lead him 

 away by many wiles, while the tiny chicks squat 

 close to the ground and remain invisible until 

 danger has passed. As the young grow they 

 keep together, never going back to the nest but 

 wandering about in the vicinity. They frequent 

 weedy gardens, potato fields, grain and stubble 

 fields, bushy pastures and stump lots as well as 

 the edges of woods. The ordinary, more or less 

 neglected farm is a paradise for them. 



The birds of a bevy are very fond of each 

 other and always keep together if possible. 

 When scattered by the common enemy they soon 

 commence their plaintive two-sy!lablcd call and 

 are never satisfied until they are reunited, when 

 they converse together using a great variety of 

 tender low notes. They sleep side by side in a 

 circular group on the ground, heads out, ready 

 to burst away like a " feathered bombshell " if 

 surprised by the enemy. When hunted tlicy 

 often take refuge in almost impenetrable thickets 

 and swamps. They have learned by necessity 

 the art of concealment. A full-plumaged male 

 will flatten himself and disapi)ear on ground 

 almost as open as a well kept lawn, and the full 

 bevj' needs only a few overhanging fern fronds 

 or a leafy spray to render their concealment 

 perfect. At need. Bob-white can disappear in 

 the open before one's very eyes and reappear 

 again from the same spot as if he had for the 

 time being put on the cloak of invisibility. Some- 

 times he appears to give no scent and the dogs 

 cannot find him. 



There is some evidence of occasional south- 

 ward migration for comparatively short dis- 

 tances. These occur at the approach of winter. 

 Severe northern winters sometimes almost ex- 

 terminate the bevies. Resting on the ground as 

 they do at night, a heavy snowstorm may cover 

 them. If, as sometimes occurs, rain follows the 

 snow and is succeeded by freezing weather a 

 crust is formed that imprisons the poor birds by 

 thousands and starvation follows. Continued 

 deep snows alone may decimate the species by 

 covering deeply their food and the gravel so 

 necessary to their digestion. Those who feed 

 Bob-white in winter always should include 

 coarse sand or grit with the grain. 

 Vol. II— 2 



Hard winters and an increasing number of 

 gunners have reduced greatly the numbers of 

 this bird in the northern parts of its range, but 

 we are beginning to learn how to propagate it 

 artificially. In the coming years it may be quite 

 possible to breed the species in unlimited num- 

 bers. This gives hojic for its future in all jiarts 

 of its range. Ei3W,\kd IIowk Foubusii. 



The Bob-white Quail is fond of farming 

 regions, especially where wheat and the other 

 small grains are cultivated. It thrives in the 

 South on cow-pea;; and many other foods which 

 are plentiful. It is quite as important to see that 

 the foods the birds require at difTercnt seasons 



Photo by R. W. Sliarel-it 



TEXAS BOB-WHITE (j nat. size) 



Except for paler coloration and smaller size, it is like the common 

 Bob-white 



of the year are plentiful, and that they have 

 proper covers and protection, as it is to see that 

 their enemies are controlled. Good shooting de- 

 pends on a proper attention being given to all 

 of these matters. Briers, both berry and flower 

 briers, the blackberry, the wild rose, and many- 

 others, make safe and attractive covers and they 

 also furnish much food. The yotmg Quails live 

 largely on insects found in the fields and woods. 

 Later they eat many berries and the seeds of 

 plants, including weeds. In the fall they glean 

 the stubbles for the grain lost at the harvest and 

 in winter they often live on stmiac, wild rose 

 hips and other plants which are seen above the 

 snow. At this season many birds will perish 

 imless food be supplied. A little corn, served 

 with grit at established feeding places will save 

 hundreds of birds during a severe winter. 



