OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. ;)21) 



that the scent is left by the breath of the bird. This can- 

 not be entertained for a single moment. A dead bird is as 

 capable of leaving a scent as one that is alive, and surely 

 no one will be so foolish as to argue that it has breath. 

 An instance is related to us by Mr. Stephen B. Lyon of 

 German town, where a retriever with a bird in its mouth 

 stood another bird several yards distant which was dead. 



The young, soon after they have left the nest, when closely 

 pursued, in order to escape danger, frequently imitate the 

 actions of their parents in thrusting their heads under fall- 

 en leaves. This is especially noticeable in thickets of oaks. 

 Their downy plumage so closely resembles in color that of 

 the sere leaf, that a careful and diligent search often fails to 

 discover their precise whereabouts. This is in a measure 

 brought about by the almost perfect stillness which they 

 maintain while thus secreted. 



Like our domesticated Galhts, Quails often resort to 

 barren grounds where there is a profusion of loose dry earth, 

 into which they love to lie, frequently dusting themselves all 

 over. When emerged from this bath, they shake themselves 

 violently until they have rid their feathers of every particle 

 of dust. Both male and female, when searching for food 

 for their numerous progeny, are exceedingly rasorial in 

 their habits, and are known to call their chicks, after the 

 fashion of the common hen, to feast upon the food which 

 they have disinterred. 



The Quail is prized by epicures and others as a most 

 delicate and nutritious article 'of diet. Various devices in 

 the shape of snares, nets, and traps, are called into service 

 to secure its capture, besides the dogs and gun of the sports- 

 man. Naturally unsuspicious, and quite readily approached, 

 in many parts of the country its ranks are considerably decim- 

 ated. In New England, it is fast disappearing, and is very 

 rare where formerly it was found in great abundance ; being 

 retained in certain sections only by fresh importations. In 

 the Southern and Western States, immense numbers are 

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