214 AMERICAN GAME BIRD SHOOTING. 



cold weather approaches, and the ground becomes frozen, 

 quails frequent the more open stubble-fields in search of 

 food. If they are flushed then they rush for the tall 

 grass or bushes, and lie so well that a whole bevy may 

 be killed one by one, if a person has a good dog. Old 

 birds are so cunning, however, that they may not await 

 the approach of even the steadiest setter, but fly to the 

 thickets or woods, if any are near, on catching sight of 

 him. 



The bevies leave the high grounds in October and 

 march or fly to the banks of streams or lakes, but they 

 return in November, which is called the "running sea- 

 son," on account of their wildness, and the fact that they 

 will not lie before a dog, but run ahead of him as fast as 

 tliey can, and seek shelter m bushes and thickets where 

 it is impossible for him to follow tliem. They may be 

 found in grain-fields up to eleven o'clock in clear, frosty 

 weather, but after that hour they resort to the banks of 

 streams and sloughs, and lie on the sunny side of fallen logs 

 and preen themselves. They go to the stubble again in 

 the evening, and when they have dined they rise suddenly 

 in the air and drop in a neighboring field, taking excel- 

 lent care not to run about much, for fear of leaving a 

 trail for their foes to follow. They generally sleep in a 

 circle, with their heads turned outwards, so as to better 

 guard against a surprise; and if they are not disturbed 

 they frequent the same roosting-place for several nights 

 in succession. Although they have many enemies, the 

 worst is the hawk, which skims noiselessly over the grass 

 or darts down upon them suddenly, from a high altitude. 

 If they espy this deadly foe m the winter, Avhen the 

 ground is covered with snow, they dash into the fleecy 

 shelter and soon make a hole large enough to protect them- 

 selves from all danger. The best time for quail shooting 

 is November and December, when the frosts have wilted 

 the corn-stalks and deprived the bushes of their thick cov- 



