The great grain-fields, cattle ranges, or vineyards offer the best oppor- 

 'tunities for the thrift of the bird and his pursuit by the hunter. An abun- 

 dance of food, grassy stretches where he can find cover for protection, and 

 with water obtainable, make the California ranches admirably adapted for 

 this gamest of birds. The hunter, too, meets with less resistance from the 

 ever-present sign in many places: "No Hunting Allowed," etc. 



The coveys are most likely to be found along the willow banks of a 

 creek, up the slope of a sparsely wooded hill, or in a canon, and usually not 

 far from a thicket where the birds can take refuge if hard pressed. The 

 hunter should be equipped with a twelve- or sixteen-bore double-barreled 

 shotgun of modified choke, shells loaded with eight to ten shot, a light 

 hunting coat, and good walking shoes. If he would enjoy the sport to its 

 fullest, a well-trained setter or pointer Is essential, for, besides being an 

 ideal bird for the marksman, he is as nearly perfection as possible for bring- 

 ing out the finer instincts of the bird-dog. When first alarmed, the covey 

 will take to wing without separating, and will fly to cover. The hunter- 

 should follow as rapidly as possible, for upon alighting the flock will con- 

 tinue on foot and will travel at a surprisingly rapid pace. Upon being forced 

 to wing a second time, the flock, now thoroughly frightened, separates and 

 will alight in a scattered condition. If the ingenuity or experience of the 

 hunter has forced the covey into dry grass or stubble, the finest sport will 

 follow. The trained hunting dog soon stiffens to point; the hunter ap- 

 proaches to within a few yards, or mayhap a few feet, and — Whir-r-r-r! 

 straight away goes the little target, swift, but presenting an opportunity 

 for a good, quick shot — a "dead bird," and the return of the happy retriever 

 with the fluttering feathers in his mouth. Another bird is soon up, and 

 another, till the hunter, flushed with the keenest excitement, stops to cool 

 his gun-barrels or quench his parched throat and that of his dog from a 

 handy canteen that should be a part of the equipment carried, especially 

 If on a bright autumn day. 



The instinct of the bird is to make short flights and to hide close when 

 under cover. Frequently both hunter and dog will work past a bird within 

 a few feet. Ground worked a second time, when birds have set, will often 

 result in putting up as many birds as the first time worked over. Two, or 

 even more, hunters can work out a covey that has been set to a better 

 advantage often than can the single hunter. 



While in the more thickly settled and richer agricultural districts of 

 California quail are now scarce, still out on the large ranges they are still 

 to be found in great numbers. Thanks, again, to the wise provision of the 

 State legislature, the game-hog and the market hunter are beings of the 

 past. A limit bag of twenty-five birds in one day to a hunter, and a non- 

 sale clause, have put both out of business. 



The precious little bird has felt the opportunity given to battle against 

 extinction, and is now on the increase in many places. May he be given 

 every opportunity he deserves, — if need be, a five-year prohibitory act, — 

 for California would not be California without her oak-covered hills and 

 plains, and the plains and hills would be a solitude without their piping 

 quail. 



