The Quail 69 



fairly leap to shoulder. And then — at last — 

 most likely when you are a-straddle of a snowy log, 

 or cautiously raising the rear foot — "Burr-r-r!" 

 Did you get one ? Then indeed you are a 

 good 'un ! What ! Two, did you say ? Then 

 Master — see ! — I grovel at thy feet — snow and 

 all ! Thy humble servant will meekly follow ten 

 paces to the rear, for thou art indeed "that 

 wizard of woodlands, foreknowing their deep- 

 hidden secrets," of whom the poet sang. 



THE ENEMIES OF THE QUAIL 



Next to man, the deadliest foes of the quail 

 are, — crusted snow, extreme cold, hawks, and 

 domestic cats, which have taken to foraging in 

 the covers. There are other destroyers, such as 

 foxes and owls ; but careful observation has failed 

 to prove very serious charges against them, the 

 chief destroyers unquestionably being the four 

 first mentioned. It is unfortunate that the rav- 

 ages by crust and cold cannot well be prevented. 

 The quail's habit of huddling under brush piles 

 and other shelter leaves it peculiarly liable to be 

 snowed under, which, with certain weather con- 

 ditions, may mean the destruction of nine-tenths 

 of the birds in a given district. The worst pos- 

 sible thing for a quail country is an unusually 

 heavy snow late in the winter, followed by a mix- 

 ture of rain and sleet, suddenly changing to bitter 



