THE PRACTICAL COUNTRY GENTLEMAN 



severe storms. These are much more easily 

 provided on a small preserve and consequently 

 the chances for success are greater. Speaking 

 on this very point Mr. Walsh says: 



" Our cold winters are exceedingly destructive to 

 quail, and more are killed in one winter by the snow 

 and by starvation than by the hunter's gun. When 

 the natural supply of food is covered WMth a foot or 

 two of snow, poor Bob White has a hard time of it. 

 Thousands of quail may be found snowed under after 

 every severe storm; and in their search for food they 

 dig under the frozen snow until feet and legs are 

 cruelly lacerated. Buckwheat, sorghum, millet, and 

 cane are the most nutritious foods for the quail. They 

 should be planted freely in the open field along with 

 Canada peas for the birds; and when winter comes, 

 the straw and grain should be gathered in some shel- 

 tered place where the birds can resort. Food must be 

 planted in the fields both for the summer and winter. 

 Barley, oats, and r\^e harvested in the straw and kept 

 for winter use are also necessary for success. A feed- 

 ing shelter is very simple. It may be that nature 

 forms sufficient shelter under spruce and cedar trees; 

 or an artificial bower of branches covered with straw 

 can keep the ground comparatively free from drifting 

 snow. 



" So far as possible nature should be imitated in 

 feeding and caring for the birds. Stacks of wheat, 



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