BIRDS OF 



sportsman and naturalist : " A few years since I was out with 

 a friend, and we flushed a very large bevy, and marked them 

 down accurately on an elevated piece of ground in a woodland 

 pasture. The grass was short and there was not even a weed 

 or briar, but here and there a large tree. We moved forward 

 with three dogs, expectmg 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 saw 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, occa- 

 sionally 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, remaining still 

 imder the most trying circumstances, and the mode of leavmg 

 — all indicated an understanding and education by command 

 how to act in time of danger." 



Some time ago the Government of Ontario passed an .\ct 

 prohibiting the killing of Quail under any circumstances for a 

 period of three years, which co-incident with mild winters had 

 the effect for a time of increasing the numbers, but again they 

 are greatly reduced and in need of protection which they well 

 deserve. 



