BOB-WHITE III 



must have food and water. In Southern Illinois one 

 very dry season I found no birds in the fields where 

 they should have been, and later found many coveys 

 about a ditch which had water standing in it. 



At night the covey takes a short flight to break the 

 scent. The birds sit closely together in a concen- 

 tric huddle, with their heads out, so that they have a 

 lookout in every direction and it is difficult to ap- 

 proach without alarming them. The chalk-like drop- 

 pings in a circle indicate the presence of the birds in a 

 field, and often show that they are in the habit of roost- 

 ing in the same field every night. Work the dogs 

 thoroughly when you see such signs. Be sure the 

 covey is not far away. 



In winter the partridges again become quite tame, and 

 often come into the barn-yards in search of food. It pays 

 well to feed them at such time, especially if the winter 

 is quite severe. At the clubs, food is liberally supplied, 

 and often patches of grain are planted and left stand- 

 ing especially for the birds. Farmers and sportsmen 

 often feed the birds. 



When a heavy snow falls the partridges sit quite 

 still until they are buried in it, and then if a crust is 

 frozen on the top they all are imprisoned and surely 

 perish. A few corn-shocks left standing and a few 

 brush-heaps, where the food is scattered, will save the 

 lives of many birds. 



In some severe winters partridges are almost exter- 

 minated. It is then necessary to pass a law prohibit- 

 ing shooting for a term of years, when the birds will 

 again be found abundant. 



In Northwestern Oljio some years ago after such a 



