IAL 
Leaving uncut areas along margins and in corners of 
orchards would prevent destruction of many quail nests. It would be 
especially beneficial if the same areas in orchards were left uncut 
year after year, since early-nesting quail are attracted by the 
previous year's vegetation. 
A number of Calhoun County farmers reported that they 
avoided damage to quail nests by raising the sickle bar as high as 
practicable before they started mowing. Many of the nests, placed 
as quail nests usually are in cup-shaped depressions, were not 
touched by the mower with the sickle thus raised. In almost every 
case in which the nest was not touched, the bird returned. Some 
farmers prevented destruction of nests by raising the sickle bar by 
means of the hand lever when quail flushed in front of the mower. 
Although there is a considerable loss of quail nests along 
roadsides, these areas are attractive to nesting birds and should be 
considered in any plan to increase the quail population. Many miles 
of country roadside were mowed in 1938 to improve the appearance and 
to control weed plants. However, the vegetation of many roadsides 
consists of grasses and other herbaceous vegetation which are not 
weecs and which do not detract from the appearance. Farmers and 
township road commissioners may find it feasible to leave stretches 
of roadside unmolested, or at least to postpone mowing until after 
July 4, a date past the peak of the quail nesting season in Calhoun 
and neighboring counties. 
