148 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



Quail invariably roost in the open fields, but not on their feed- 

 ing grounds, as the treacherous trail Which they leave would soon 

 be discovered, and followed up by the dogs ; but after having fed 

 until dark, they take a short flight to an adjoining field, and drop 

 suddenly down — avoid running about, and settle themselves for 

 the night. To prevent surprise, and, no doubt, for better security, 

 they roost in a circle, with their heads out, so as to present a 

 guard on every side, and, when flushed, each is thus enabled to 

 rise and fly without interfering with the other. If undisturbed, 

 they will resort to the same field several nights in succession. 



Most sportsmen use for Quail shooting No. 8 shot, which we 

 regard as two sizes too large, unless the birds are very wild. One 

 ounce or one and an eighth ounces of No. 10, with three drachms 

 of powder, will, we believe, taking the season through, kill more 

 birds, and kill them cleaner than any other charge ; this for an 

 ordinary seven or eight pound gun. 



Man is not the only enemy the Quail has to fear, as there are 

 several animals that feast and prey upon these birds, such as wea- 

 sels, foxes, raccoons and serpents, but none are more destructive 

 than hawks. They keep them in a constant state of fear, as they 

 give no warning of their approach, but skim along the top of the 

 stubble or grass, and pounce upon a covey of these weak, inof- 

 fensive little creatures, and sinking their sharp talons into their 

 bodies, bear them off to their haunts in the woods, and devour 

 them at their leisure. We invariably make it a rule to kill these 

 pirates whenever and wherever we can come up with them. They 

 not only destroy the birds, but keep them in such a constant state 

 of alarm, that they will not lie to the dogs, but run and flush to 

 the least alarm, and after they are scattered, they are afraid to call 

 each other together, as the treacherous call-note would betray 

 them to their enemies. 



