QUAIL-SHOOTING. 103 



should be done by selecting a single bird at each shot), 

 do not rush up yourself to bring in the game, neither 

 let your dog do so ; but keep perfectly cool, and load 

 where you stand, and as soon as possible, for there may 

 be half a dozen birds within ten yards of you. When 

 you have reloaded, let the dog bring in the dead birds, 

 keeping him at the same time under control, and not 

 letting him range all over the ground. After having 

 emptied both barrels, cast your eye in the direction 

 the game went ; watch sharply, and you will see them 

 scaling along over fields and meadows, and when they 

 begin to settle, watch closely, and you will have an- 

 other shot at them. As they finally draw down to the 

 ground, you will always notice that they give a sudden 

 tip to their wings, — a movement that differs quite 

 perceptibly from their regular flight, and which they 

 have in common with nearly all kinds of game birds. 

 Mark well then the spot when they come to the ground, 

 by noting some big tree or rock in its vicinity ; cal- 

 culate well the distance, and make tracks for it direct- 

 ly, before losing your points of compass. 



As previously stated in the rule given for woodcock 

 shooting, a good marker will always have a better bag 

 than the sportsman who has no faculty that way. 



Quail often come into the farmers' barn-yards during 

 severe winters, to pick up such hay-seed as they can 

 find ; and if unmolested, they will hang around the 

 barn all winter. 



It t is generally supposed by ornithologists, that these 

 birds are partially migratory, going from their homes 

 to the seaside during the hot weather, like people of 



