THE AMERICAN QUAIL. 257 



Canada West, where they are exceedingly abundant, on 

 the first of September ; which is, for many reasons, 

 entirely too early, as hereafter I shall endeavor to 

 demonstrate. 



In my own opinion, the first of November, and even 

 the middle of October, are too late for the termination 

 of the Quail's close-time, inasmuch as five-sevenths of 

 the broods in ordinarily forward seasons are full-grown 

 and strong on the wing, as well as all the crops off the 

 ground, by the first of October ; and although the late, 

 second, or third broods may be undersized, they are still 

 well able to take care of themselves in case the parent 

 birds are killed ; whereas, on account of their immature 

 size, they are safe from the legitimate shot; arid, on 

 account of their unsaleability in market to the restau- 

 rant, from the poaching pot-shot also. 



I should, therefore, myself, be strongly inclined to 

 advocate the adoption of one common day, and that day 

 the first of October, for the close-time of all our upland 

 game ; the English Snipe alone excepted. Touching the 

 reasons for postponing the day of Woodcock-shooting, a 

 notice will be found in our July number, and an extend- 

 ed discussion in my Field Sports, vol. I. pp. 169 to 200. 

 Of the Quail, in regard to this point, I have said enough 

 here, unless this ; that, in my opinion, there is far more 

 need to protect them from the trap during the wintry 

 snows, than from the gun in the early autumn ; the 

 latter cannot possibly at any time exterminate the race ; 



