Nesting; of the Black-breasted 'Mexican Quail. 23 



they tak*'. cover under the sage bush, or even squat upon the 



bare ground, and then give the sportsman some easy shots. 

 I have no doubt that. e\en when found in canons where t'here 

 is an)' timber, they would tree in the same way as thie 

 other American Quail. 



I have only met with them myself upon the prairies. 

 The Californian Quail I have shot in hundreds, and these when 

 found on the prairies act in just the same way as Colinus. 

 but when in timber always make For the shelter of the trees, 

 selecting evergreen oak for preference, where it is 

 most difhcult to spot them squatting upon the branches. 

 When 1 have been hunting the large and handsome Mountain 

 Quail (O. pictiis) in the Sierras, I invariably found them 

 take cover in the dead branches of the redwoods and other 

 conifers, where they were quite invisible. I believe that it 

 was the b'.rd's habit to roost in the trees, but of this I cannot 

 be certain . 



Early Experiences. 



By We-Slev T. Page, F.Z.S. 

 {Continued from page 20). 



The Aviary : The site, of course, is the first important 

 item, aftei one has considered a little over what one has got, 

 or can get, to spend upon it — I will pause to say, go slow, 

 even if one spends a year upon the construction of the aviary 

 and its fittings, unlimited healthy pleasure is gained in the 

 task and the pleasurable anticipation of the time when it should 

 be filled with occupants, and also the finding out of their re- 

 quirements ; if you, my reader, are prepared to pass through 

 such an experience, you have passed through the first stage 

 essential to make the completed aviary a successful one. Now 

 a word of warning, do not let your own zeal cause you 

 to unduly bore those around you, for there is a point beyond 

 which their interest in you may not carry them. 



