QUAIL-SHOOTING. 107 



dividual advancing the only rational idea of the proper 

 cause. The truth never reached them that these per- 

 secuted little creatures had been granted the power of 

 withholding their odor to preserve them from their 

 ruthless destroyers. Noble dogs have been censured 

 as wanting and careless, when the often-repeated fact 

 in almost every day's hunt made it manifest that the 

 fault did not lie with them. Many years ago I noticed 

 this fact, and, after frequent and earnest observation, 

 I adopted the conclusion already given." 



" It is now twenty years since I was one day in 

 company with my friend and companion, the late 

 learned ornithologist, Alexander Wilson, assisting him 

 in his endeavors after the birds of this country. We 

 encountered a well-appointed party of gentlemen who 

 were shooting partridges [quail]. They had seven 

 dogs, apparently of the best quality. They were in a 

 large stubble-field, having small patches of low bushes 

 and briers in several places. From one of these was 

 flushed a very large covey of partridges, which, after 

 having been rigorously fired upon, settled nearly in 

 the centre of the field, in a place slightly depressed, 

 where the stubble was unusually high, with rank clover 

 underneath." 



"The sportsmen pursued with due caution, giving 

 the proper instructions and ample time to the dogs. 

 Some of the birds were put up and killed, but not near 

 as many as had taken refuge there. After consider- 

 able search, the party left the ground. Why so few of 

 the birds were roused puzzled me exceedingly ; and I, 

 in common with every one, censured the dogs. Imme- 



