146 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



a bird flew up, and soon after, another and another, until five 

 went off. I expressed my surprise to Mr. Wilson, who dismissed 

 the matter by supposing that the stronger scent from the feet of 

 so many men had transcended that of the birds, and bewildered 

 the dogs." 



After starting a covey, and scattering the birds, no doubt every 

 observant sportsman has noticed the same thing, namely, how 

 difficult it has been for his dog to find the single quail, although 

 directly marked to a particular spot. This habit of the bird to lie 

 until almost trodden upon, and to seemingly baffle the nose of the 

 finest setter or pointer, has given rise to the question whether it 

 can vohmtarzly withhold its scent, but there is no reason for at- 

 tributing to it such powers, and it is readily to be explained. 

 After being flushed and shot at, the covey, in its flight, scatters in 

 every direction, making all haste to escape from danger, and each 

 quail pitches into whatever cover offers the best concealment — 

 crouching into the smallest possible space, with feathers pressed 

 tightly to its body, permitting little if any scent to pass off" for a 

 time, or at least until they move and suppose danger has passed. 

 Thus it is not a will power on the part of the bird, but resulting 

 entirely from the body (from whence their scent issues,) being so 

 firmly pressed by the quail with its plumage in its endeavors 

 to hide. 



The Quail is most unquestionably to be preferred to any other 

 bird to break our dogs on ; and when once broken to this kind of 

 shooting, they will seek after and find any other game bird, such 

 as woodcock, snipe, pheasant, or grouse, as no bird feeds more 

 widely nor leaves so long a trail of scent behind them, which, 

 when the wind is blowing strong, is carried a considerable dis- 

 tance. We have frequently seen dogs catch the scent of a covey 

 a hundred yards off, and trail them straight to their hiding place. 

 They thus learn caution and ease in approaching them, knowing 

 the punishment they will receive if they flush. How beautifully 

 Gay has described this in his " Rural Sports : " 



" Against the wind he takes his prudent way, 

 While the strong gale directs him to the prey ; 

 Now the warm scent assures the covey near ; 

 He treads with caution and he points with fear. ' 



