QUAIL SHOOTING 353 
their flight is exceedingly rapid and vigorous, but it 
is always even and direct, so that it only requires a 
very quick hand and eye, and the usual intuitive calcu- 
lation for cross shots, to kill them readily. Notwith- 
standing all I have heard to the contrary, I consider 
them far from being tough birds, and No. 8 shot is 
abundantly large enough for them. The fault in most 
cases, I presume, is with the shooter rather than the 
shot. I may add that many of the places in which 
bevies are found would compare unfavorably with the 
worst woodcock brake of the Eastern States as regards 
facilities for obtaining a fair shot. I have had a bevy 
flushed all around me and hardly caught a glimpse of 
a feather. But these, and all other difficulties, should 
only increase one’s ardor and confer additional value 
on the lovely birds when obtained.’ 
MOUNTAIN QUAIL. 
In the California Mountains, near various hill towns, 
the mountain quail are often abundant, and late in 
October, or early in November, after rain, or snows 
turning to rain, we have occasionally started coveys 
which, flying for no great distance, would pitch down 
and lie so close that they could be walked up by a 
gunner and a few good shots had. In such situations, 
and at a time when the ground was moist enough to 
make the scent lie well, I should expect to have good 
shooting with a careful dog. 
In the dry West, however, conditions for shooting 
