34 QUAILOLOGY - DOMESTICATION, ETC. 



fly away once or twice; but this is not often repeated especial- 

 ly if the experiment be tried in a dark place— as for example, 

 behind a curtain, which offers the further advantage that if 

 the bird should fall it is not liable to hurt itself. As soon as it 

 sits quietly on any one finger, another finger must be placed 

 in such a position as to cause the bird to step upon it; and as 

 soon as it is accustomed to hop quietly from one finger to 

 another, the main difficulty is overcome. For if when the 

 bird is gradually aroused from its state of stupefacation, it 

 perceives that its teacher does not use it roughly, it may by 

 degrees be taught to manifest perfect obedience to his com- 

 mands. Etc " 



This method may be allright for all we know, we have never 

 tried it, but we prefer the former mothod to taking any chance 

 of losing a bird by an overdose, which is liable to occur espec- 

 ially when the bird is first taken and is highly excited. 



Patience, good care and kind treatment seldom fail to reward. 



=1 



=ii 



As Pets 



No other bird is more fascinating, more affectionate, more 

 pleasing, or more cleanly in its habits, than the quail. It is 

 far more affectionate than the pet bantams. His note-call is a 

 signal of a hearty "Good Morning"; a pleasant thought of a 

 day well spent. 



"But lingers yet, it's sweet ''Bob-White.'' 



A cheerful companion at all times, but his training and 

 teaching is not of a trivial nature. Not the old bird, but the 

 youngest chick, just out of the shell, must be the subject of 

 our training, for a pet. 



The better plan is to take the brood hatched out by a pet 

 bantam hen, preferably a Buff Cochin, or even better an incu- 

 bator hatched brood. In the latter case, however, we will 



