UPLAND SHOOTING. 233 



equally certain that, under other circumstances, they suffer more 

 severely in this rcgii^n of country, than any other bird lA' game ; 

 and that in untiivorable seas(nis they run great danger ol being 

 altogether annihilated. The tear of this result has led to what 

 I consider hasty and inconsiderate legislation on the subject. 



Long severe snows, when the country is buried many feet 

 deep, and he can procure nn sustenance, save from the preca- 

 rious charity of man, famishes him outright — heavy drifts, espe- 

 cially when succeeded by a partial thaw, and a frost following 

 the thaw, stilles him, in whole bevies encased in icy prison- 

 houses. 



It is the peculiar habit of this bini to lie still, Sfjuatted in con- 

 centrir huddles, as they are technically called, composed of the 

 whole bevy, seated like the radii of a circle, with their tails in- 

 ward, so long as snow, sleet, or rain continues to tall. So soon 

 as it ch'ars off", and the sun shines out, with a simultaneous 

 effort, ])robably at a preconcerted signal, they all spring up at 

 once with an impetus and rush, so powerful, as carries them 

 clear through a snow-drit't many feet in depth ; unless it be 

 skinned over by a frozen crust, whicli is not to be penetrated by 

 their utmost eff'orts. In this latter case, where the storm has 

 been general over a large extent of country, the Quail are not 

 unfrequently so near to extinction, that but a bevy or two will 

 be seen for years, on ground where previously they have been 

 found in aliundance ; and at such times, if they be not spared 

 and ch.erished, as they will be by all true sportsmen, they may 

 be destroyed entirely throughout a whole region. 



This was the case especially, through all this section of the 

 country, in the tremendous winter of 1S35-'3G, when these birds, 

 which had been previously very abundant, were almost annihi- 

 lated ; and would have been so, doubtless, but for the anxiety 

 which was felt generally, and the energetic means which were 

 taken to presei-\'e them. 



A 1 > her peril, whicli at times decimates the breed f )r a sea- 

 son, i- a sudden and violent land-flood in June and .July, which 

 drowns the young broods ; or a continuance of cold, showery, 



