LIST AND DESCRIPTION 75 
natural haunts have been destroyed by the drainage and cultiva- 
tion of all the wild land. Prairie Chickens, Quail and Grouse 
constitute the only big family of birds that can take their place in 
successfully keeping down insects. 
Our game laws are adequate but sadly disregarded by a 
large portion of our population. 
289. BoBWHITE (Colinus virginianus virginianus.) 
The “Quail” is one of our most valuable and best known 
birds. However, it is shy and said to be very difficult of domes- 
tication; yet it is never found far away from civilization. It is 
now found over the State except, perhaps, in the northwestern 
part; but it is not abundant and never will be unless given more 
protection. It is not a migratory bird, seldom moving a mile 
from where it was raised; it is therefore placed at the mercy of 
our severe winters with their deep snow. During the fall low 
rude pole sheds should be erected in thickets and covered with 
straw or fodder to afford protection: they should be quite large 
and banked on two sides, so that snow will not fill them com- 
pletely. In these sheds a few handfuls of grain should be scat- 
tered often enough to attract the birds and keep them familiar 
with the surroundings. They should also be fed now and then 
during deep snow. When there is little or no snow they have 
no trouble in securing weed seeds, of which each “Quail” will 
devour many pounds during a winter season. In the summer 
their food consists principally of insects, hence we can readily 
see that they are continually working for the farmer and that 
he can well afford to offer the little fellows the small protec- 
tion and food that are necessary to help through the severe 
snow storms. 
The Bobwhite is about nine inches in length. In the male 
the throat, forehead and line over eye are white, bordered with 
black; while in the female these white markings around the head 
are buffy or dull. The body is brownish red mixed with white 
and black. 
297. Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus obscurus.) 
Foon Hen.” 
This Grouse is rare in South Dakota, but a few may be 
seen in or near the Black Hills. It is one of the largest of our 
