GALLING. 323 



driven westward to the plains regions, where the game 

 season, during which it may be shot, is now carefully 

 regulated by law. According to the game law of 1908, 

 the time limits within which the prairie chicken may be 

 legally hunted are from September 15 to October 15; 

 for bob- whites, the limits are between November 15 

 and December 15. In addition, restrictions are imposed 

 as to the number of birds which may be killed by any 

 one hunter, and as to the purpose in killing them. Private 

 property owners may prohibit all hunting on their 

 premises; which prohibitions, by the way, are the most 

 effective game laws possible. The migrating quails of 

 the Old World make migrations across the Mediterranean 

 to nest in the European countries, returning as winter 

 approaches. The Australian quails of the genus Synoicus 

 measure from six and one-half to eight inches in length. 

 These are the smallest of the quail tribe, and make only 

 short migrations, keeping in large coveys. The birds 

 of the order are all terrestrial birds rather than arboreal, 

 like most of the Raptores. They seek their food on the 

 ground, seeds and berries, and therefore are not driven 

 to migration for food as are most of the birds that are 

 insectivorous in their food habits. As with all birds 

 notably seed-eaters, food is usually a matter of all-the- 

 year-round supply in any one locality with these birds; 

 and hence they have, in many cases, followed the grain- 

 raising farmer as he has settled in new localities, thus 

 following the westward tide of immigration. 



As to characteristics, the hind toe is elevated, except 

 in some of the Old World species; the front toes are 

 commonly a little webbed; the claws are blunt and not 

 much curved; the tarsus is, in most of the birds, broadly 

 scutellate when not feathered. The bill is short, stout, 



