AUTUMN SHOOTING. 323 



and clap their wings over tbeir backs. When they are 

 seen to do this, they are down and no mistake ! 



It is worthy of remark, that for some time after quail 

 have dropped and squatted, they yield no scent whatever, 

 and cannot be pointed even by the most excellent dogs on 

 the best scenting days. It is a question, though it matters 

 not to the sportsman, the fact being once established, 

 whether this retention of the scent is voluntary on the 

 part of the bird, or a peculiarity of which it is uncon- 

 scious. I am, however, well satisfied that the former is 

 the case ; for at such times as it gives out no scent, the 

 quail will not take wing at all, however narrowly the 

 thicket or covert, of whatever sort it may chance to be, is 

 beaten by dogs and men. 



This peculiarity is especially to be noted ; for to follow 

 birds immediately to the new hiding-place, is worse than 

 time thrown away. They will not be found until at the 

 end of half an hour or upward, when they shall have begun 

 to run, and if at all scattered, to call ; and while the 

 sportsman is fruitlessly toiling after these, such other birds 

 as are feeding in the vicinity, having got through their 

 morning meal, will have betaken themselves to the small 

 isolated spots in which they bask and lay up during the 

 heat of the day, and in which, unless stumbled on by acci- 

 dent, the best dogs will fail to find them. 



The proper method, therefore, by which to have great 

 sport in the afternoon, is to persist in beating the stubbles, 

 feeding grounds and wood-edges, so long as the birds are 

 on the ramble and the feed, and to take such shots as one 

 may get, in the mean time, until the scattered birds shall 



