QUAIL SHOOTING 353 



their flight is exceedingly rapid and vigorous, but it 

 is always even and direct, so that it only requires a 

 very quick hand and eye, and the usual intuitive calcu- 

 lation for cross shots, to kill them readily. Notwith- 

 standing all I have heard to the contrary, I consider 

 them far from being tough birds, and No. 8 shot is 

 abundantly large enough for them. The fault in most 

 cases, I presume, is with the shooter rather than the 

 shot. I may add that many of the places in which 

 bevies are found would compare unfavorably with the 

 worst woodcock brake of the Eastern States as regards 

 facilities for obtaining a fair shot. I have had a bevy 

 flushed all around me and hardly caught a glimpse of 

 a feather. But these, and all other difficulties, should 

 only increase one's ardor and confer additional value 

 on the lovely birds when obtained/ 



MOUNTAIN QUAIL. 



In the California Mountains, near various hill towns, 

 the mountain quail are often abundant, and late in 

 October, or early in November, after rain, or snows 

 turning to rain, we have occasionally started coveys 

 which, flying for no great distance, would pitch down 

 and lie so close that they could be walked up by a 

 gunner and a few good shots had. In such situations, 

 and at a time when the ground was moist enough to 

 make the scent lie well, I should expect to have good 

 shooting with a careful dog. 



In the dry West, however, conditions for shooting 



