AND THE WILDERNESS BLOSSOMED 



doubt that these beautiful birds will gradually 

 increase throughout the region, if they are 

 looked after a little, and protected by the law 

 for a few years. 



The past season we had two flocks, each of 

 eight well-grown birds, one of them being as wild 

 and timid as birds can be, while the other wan- 

 dered at will across the lawns and near the house, 

 feeding like barnyard fowls while the men were 

 at work near by. In both cases the flocks held 

 together, the old cock always in the lead, guiding 

 and guarding the mother and the chicks, who 

 followed obediently in his wake. I know of no 

 more interesting sight than watching these birds 

 and the grouse, as they wander fearlessly over 

 the lawn. To me there is a greater satisfaction 

 in seeing near me a wild bird who shows no fear 

 than I could possibly experience in wringing his 

 neck as I dropped his limp, dead body into a 

 game-bag. Indeed, as the years pass by, I confess 

 to taking less and less delight in murder of any 

 kind. 



I was jeered at by all my friends for sending 

 a dozen Quail to the island, and it was freely 

 pointed out that there was not a single " Bob 

 White " in the State, and that as six inches of 



112 



