224 FRANK FORESTER S FIELD SPORTS. 



weather, in those and the preceding months, which addles the 

 eo-trs, and destroys the early bevy. This is, however, but a par- 

 tial evil, — as the Quail rears a second brood, and, as I have be- 

 fore observed, sometimes a third ; so that in this case the num- 

 ber of birds for the season is diminished, without the tribe being 

 endangered. 



The open winters, which have prevailed latterly, have been 

 exceedingly favorable to the increase of this beautiful and pro 

 lific little bird. Never, perhaps, have they been more abundant 

 than they were last autumn ; and as the winter has been in all 

 respects the most propitious ever known, there having been 

 scarcely a single fall of snow of any magnitude, and no crust in 

 any instance to molest them, there is every likelihood of a fine 

 stock next autumn being raised throughout the Middle States, 



A little judicious legislation — a little energy combined with 

 careful consideration of the subject, and mutual concession on 

 the part of true sportsmen, might possibly now preserve this 

 very interesting native American from the total extinction that 

 threatens him. 



It is quite clear, that neither idle good wishes, nor faineant 

 despair, will do so. One bad winter, and the present state of 

 things, will settle the question for us, — but the wrong way ! 



Unlike the young broods of the Woodcock, which are mute, 

 save the twitter with which they rise, the bevies of Quail appear 

 to be attached to each other by tender affection. If dispersed 

 by accidental causes, either in pursuit of their food, or from 

 being flushed by some casual intruder, so soon as their first 

 alarm has passed over, they begin calling to each other with a 

 small plaintive note, quite different from the amorous whistle 

 of the male bird, and from their merry daybreak cheeping ; and, 

 each one running toward the sound, and repeating it at inter- 

 vals, they soon collect themselves together into one happy little 

 family, the circle of which remains unbroken, until the next 

 spring, with the genial weather, brings matrimonial ardors, pair- 

 ing and courtship, and the hope of future bevies. 



If. however, the ruthless sportsman has been among them, 



