QUAIL SHOOTING. 179 
One woula naturally suppose that after being reared 
in thickets and hidden places, that when quail have be- 
come grown and strong they would go to the same 
places to roost. Not so; after having reached the age 
of discretion, as it were, they flock together, and with 
one flight seek some open field, where, closely bunched 
together, they pass the night. It seems strange, that 
after having been bred and brought up in the depth of 
some quiet retreat, that when weeks had added strength 
to their bodies and acuteness to their natural instincts, 
that they should abandon these places, and seek the 
open and exposed field for their roosting-places, and yet 
the very openness of their roosting-place is an assurance 
of their safety, as night prowling animals and birds of 
prey skulking through the deep woods, or skimming 
phantom-like through the awful stillness of the silent 
trees, avoid the open fields. After alighting from their 
flight they huddle together, with heads pointing out- 
ward, forming a circle, and presenting to all quarters of 
approach a serried circle of pointed bills and black 
sparkling eyes. When disturbed, they fly up with a great 
whirr and roar, caused by the quick moving of their 
broad, strong wings, and each shifts temporarily for it- 
self. Their manner of roosting is different from most 
other birds, in this respect: they do not sleep with the 
head beneath the wing. In roosting together as they do, 
it seems to inspire in them a spirit of confidence and 
fraternal affection, each relying on the protection of the 
other. With backs to each other they huddle and nestle 
closely together ; the quarrels and fights of the day are 
forgotten and they commingle in sweet confusion. This 
they do in early fall, as well as inthe cold winter 
months. In winter they crowd closely together, bow 
