10 Iowa Oknithologist. 



BOB WHITE. 



BY WILMON NEWELL, HULL, lA. 



LOOKING over the many beautiful and beneficial birds, the lover of Nature, 

 as well as the true sportsman, does not fail to pause and feast his mind's 

 eye upon the form and grace of our common game bird, the Quail, The terms, 

 "Bob White" and "Quail," are both widespread in their use but that they both 

 refer to the same bird, Colimts virgin iaiius, there is not the least doubt. 



Though comparatively scarce in portions of the state, yet it is doubtful if 

 the Quail is totally extinct in any one locality. In the central part of the state, 

 and especially around Ames, it is is not a common bird, but flocks are met with 

 in the timber along the Skunk and Des Moines rivers. In this, the north- 

 western portion of the state, they are abundant. 



The past few mild winters and a stricter enforcement of the game laws 

 have given them a fine chance to increase. Nearly every farmer's grove has its 

 flock of from ten to thirty, to say nothing of those found in the brush along 

 creeks and rivers. Twenty five years ago a Quail was a rarity in this region, 

 even along the rivers. Like green islands in a desert, the settlers' groves began 

 to appear here and there over the prairies. Following close behind the pioneers 

 came the Quails and immediately set up housekeeping. The land hearted settlers 

 did not drivethem away nor did the hunter's gun disturb their domestic affairs. 

 Forced to avoid only their natural enemies, they took to the groves and there 

 nested in the weeds and leaves. 



Nests containing twenty eggs were common and the author has counted as 

 high as twenty-seven in a single nest. Such large sets were probably laid by 

 two or more birds, whether owing to lack of proper nesting sites we cannot say. 

 What a picture of peace and harmony they were, undisturbed by man. 



Their nesting habits are essentially the same at present but they have 

 become more wary. When the eggs are hatched, the mother leaves the nest 

 with her little ones and begins the hunt for food. They follow her much as do 

 young Prairie Chickens or even our own tame chicks. Cute, little, downy fel- 

 lows they are too. Lively at all times, they are veritable streaks of hghtning 

 when they take after a bug or vie with each other for some tempting morsel 

 found by the mother. Full growth is obtained in the latter part of summer 

 and by early winter the birds have become plump and fat. 



As soon as the first light snow is on the ground, the local sportsmen are 

 after them in full force. A kno^^•ledge of the birds' habits gives the hunter an 

 unfair advantage. During this season the Quails leave their roosting place in 

 a grove about daylight and feed along the read until sunrise or a httle later. 

 Then if a corn-field be handy they will trot into it and, keeping well together, 

 feed through the field during the forenoon. Of course if snow has fallen the 

 previous afternoon or night, their tracks are distinctly visible and the hunter 

 readily tracks them into the corn-field where, by careful walldng, he can get 

 within easy range. At a slight noise the Quails will invariably run close to- 

 gether or dart into a bunch of weeds or grass. At this moment a single shot 



