Quail. Bob-White 



There are few prettier sights than a family of old quail 

 with their young walking fearlessly about in a woodland 

 meadow. The bird's domestic life is particularly interesting 

 from the part the male plays in the family, helping to 

 build the nest, feeding his mate on the eggs, and, in case 

 of her death, brooding in her place. 



FLORENCE A. MERRIAM. Birds of Village and Field. 1 



At night, for at least many days in succession, the quail 

 selects the same spot to sleep in, more usually on low ground, 

 where the long grass affords shelter and warmth. There 

 they encamp, not huddled together promiscuously and 

 unadvisedly, but shoulder to shoulder in a circle, with 

 their heads out, so that in the event of a sudden surprise 

 they escape rapidly, and in every direction, without diffi- 

 culty In winter, they lie on the ground as 



usual, always allowing the snow to accumulate until 

 morning, when they free themselves by united effort. 

 Should a crust be formed, they frequently find it impossible 

 to escape, and so perish. 



MINOT. Land and Game Birds. 20 



The destruction of this useful and interesting species by 

 our winter snows is a public calamity; and nothing, it 

 seems to me, can mitigate the evil save the building of 

 artificial shelters, strewing around them some sort of 

 grain to prevent their wandering far away from them. 

 Our farmers have not sufficiently considered the advantages 

 they might derive from this semi-domestication of the 

 quail and some other species that winter with us. 



FLAGG. A Year With the Birds. 26 

 113 



