OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. S27 



four or five months after hatching, they accomplish their 

 final moulting-, and assume the characteristic adult plumage. 

 Man is the most inveterate enemy of the Quail. Vast 

 numbers are destroyed every fall during the period which 

 the law allows. The movements of the birds when pursued 

 are most curious and interesting. When a covev of birds, 

 both young and old. under the leadership of an old and 

 experienced cock, is compelled to change its base of 

 supplies, the latter leads off, and after having advanced to 

 a short distance, he turns round, and by a peculiar call, 

 signals the others to follow. The order of succession 

 maintained is not unfrequentlv first the male, then the 

 young birds, and finally the adult females. When it 

 has reached a suitable feeding-ground, the procession 

 makes a halt, and instantly commences to lay siege to 

 every thing edible that comes within its reach. When a 

 rich parcel of seeds or berries is found by a fortunate in- 

 dividual, it is not long before the prize is perceived by 

 others, who assemble around and endeavor to make the 

 most of the booty. One individual, more lucky than 

 his comrades, seizes a rich prize, and hastens away to devour 

 it at his leisure, when he is instantly perceived by half a 

 dozen, who start in pursuit, overtake and compel him to 

 swallow it with all possible speed, or run the risk of having 

 it torn from his grasp by one more powerful than himself. 

 These actions forcibly remind us of those of the common 

 barnyard fowl. They are more especially confined to the 

 younger birds. Occasionally, the old cock, when he has 

 accidentally strayed upon a dainty morsel, will by a loud 

 cluck* assemble the entire multitude together to feed thereon, 

 scarcely deigning to touch it himself, save to test its edible 

 properties. Having performed this self-sacrificing act, he 

 goes oft' in quest of more, and does likewise. This is par- 

 ticularly noticeable in the spring and autumnal months. But 

 in the winter, when there is a paucity of appropriate food, 

 the gratification of his own appetite is of paramount 5m- 



