ILLINOIS AUDUBON SOCIETY 13 



In many instances the state laws defeat their own objects. 

 For example, the Illinois State law in regard to the shooting of 

 Quail declares an open season throughout the state from Novem- 

 ber 10 to December 10. In southern Illinois Quails are plentiful, 

 and the natural law of reproduction maintains a fair average 

 of birds. In central Illinois Quail is considerably less abundant, 

 and in northern Illinois the bird is scarcely known. In this case, 

 zoning for closed seasons would prove of great benefit to the 

 Quail, to the farmer, and also to the hunter. 



Contemplate the fascinating mystery of the migratory flight 

 which brings to us strange visitors from far lands, filling our 

 streams, meadows, and woodlands with interesting travelers and 

 possible friends. Listen to the solicitous call of the waterfowl and 

 the reassuring answer of its mate, and consider that their home 

 ties are as strong, momentous, and sublime as our own. Can 

 we afford to lose the enrichment our lives will receive from ac- 

 quaintance with these gentle guests, or raise the weapon to 

 sever home bonds of life only slightly less exalted than our own? 



To the young hunter, the alien, the gentlemanly sportsman 

 we suggest a more fascinating way of bagging game, one which 

 knows neither closed season nor game laws. It works no hard- 

 ships on your quarry, which becomes your prize without being 

 stilled in wasteful death. On the preservation of your quarry's 

 life depends your entertainment. The chase is exhilarating and 

 full of intense excitement. Trespass signs are never placed 

 against such hunters, and the daily bag may contain a dozen or 

 a hundred birds without consequences. The seasons alone will 

 dictate the number and species. You may meet old friends ev- 

 erywhere, often recognize individuals. Equipped with notebook, 

 field-glass, and camera you may sally forth into the very sanctum 

 sanctorum of nature to study, identify, and record its every form. 

 Your harmless intrusion causes but momentary embarrassment, 

 and the daily duties of the wild things soon go on. 



Paul B. Riis, Rockford. 



Another Brief for the Quail 



For several years I have noticed in different sporting mag- 

 azines and in the sport sections of our daily newspapers opin- 

 ions concerning the increase or decrease in the number of Quails 

 in different vicinities. Discussions of the subject often arise 

 at clubs, and it is no uncommon thing in the barber shops to hear 

 a game- bag artist declare that protection of Quail does no good, 

 that in territory where protection has been maintained for sev- 

 eral years the birds increase and then migrate to some other 

 vicinity where there is no protection and are exterminated. 

 The common remark is that winter, dogs and cats absolutely 

 control the number of Quails, and that shooting has little or no 

 effect upon the Quail population. 



