CHAPTER XX.-THE QUAIL, LAND- 

 RAIL, BUSTARD, SNIPE, AND 

 WOODCOCK. 



EITHER of the five birds whose names head this 

 chapter are, strictly speaking, " game/' yet for all 

 individually and collectively the sportsman is required to 

 take out a game licence before he can legally shoot them. 

 Such being the case, we consider they demand notice in 

 this work, although the extent to which they can be pre- 

 served is somewhat limited, particularly in the cases of the 

 snipe and woodcock. 



The Quail. Throughout several parts of the British Isles, 

 the quail, during the months between May and October, is 

 more or less plentiful, in some parts so much so as to afford 

 a very fair quantum of sport taken in the intervals between 

 that afforded by other game. Although not a permanent 

 inhabitant of these isles, making, as it does, annual migra- 

 tions between this and more southern climes, still a large 

 number remain with us from year's-end to year's-end, and 

 also breed here; hence we think it deserving of more atten- 

 tion from the game preserver than it is usual to afford it. 



