io8 BIRDS 



Although apparently the quietest and most peaceful of 

 birds, quail become murderous at times. During the breed- 

 ing season, the little cocks will fight fiercely if closely con- 

 fined. At any time, a new individual added to a group is 

 very likely to be maimed or killed, especially in small quar- 

 ters. The writer has known two hen Bobwhites, one a 

 cripple, to kill at once a cock introduced to their company. 

 A number of birds placed together in new quarters will sel- 

 dom quarrel, and young birds reared together will agree 

 perfectly until spring approaches. 



At this time breeding birds should be separated into pairs, 

 each of which has a small compartment to itself. Such 

 pens may be 3' x 6', or any other convenient size of similar 

 dimensions. The mesh of the wire should be three-quarters 

 inch or less, as sparrows are able to squeeze through any- 

 thing larger. A board around the bottom adds to the seclu- 

 sion of the birds. The run should cover ground well grown 

 with grass and weeds, and in one corner should be placed a 

 pile of brush, preferably evergreens. No shelter is neces- 

 sary, the birds preferring to sleep on the ground. The 

 greatest care must be taken not to disturb them at this 

 time. 



Captive quail lay in early summer, or often when the 

 season is well advanced. If not disturbed the hen will form 

 a nest in the grass under the brush pile. In other cases 

 the eggs may be deposited promiscuously about the en- 

 closure. At any rate, they should be collected frequently, 

 as production is thus stimulated. The greatest care must 

 be observed not to alarm the birds when removing eggs. 

 As many as one hundred eggs have been laid in one season 

 by a hen Bobwhite, but thirty to forty eggs is the normal 

 product. These birds seldom incubate their own eggs, but 

 other species are less remiss on this point. Plumed, Curasao, 

 Crested and California Quail have been reared by the 



