QUAILOLOGY - DOMESTICATION, ETC. 37 



will be more favorable. Remove the birds from the rest of 

 flock in the fall or winter; place each in an adjoining cage and 

 allow them to remain so until spring opens up. When the 

 female begins to show signs of mating, place them together in 

 an aviary by themselves, removed from your other birds, and 

 we think you will obtain results. In cross mating any species 

 it is well to follow this plan, especially if it happens to be an odd 

 male, as he will pursue the female with great ardour and strip 

 her of her feathers, if she does not yield to his desires. 



In mating up the Bob-White, or other varieties, the fanciers 

 object, if he be a fancier at all, is to improve the species in 

 size and markings, and to secure better layers. In every covey 

 we find some culls, some on the average and a few that are to 

 be prized above others. The latter are the ones we must look 

 to for results in the realization of our ideal. 



The making up of the breeding pens and the selection of 

 birds should be done in October and November, and those 

 which are of the best markings, size, and of the hens that have 

 layed the best layers, selected to give the best results. The 

 quail is, in instances, polygamous to a certain extent, but it is 

 advisable to pair the birds up, as the cock is very affectionate 

 during the nesting season and frequently performs a portion 

 of the duties of incubation. As far as possible secure birds 

 from unrelated coveys, to make up your breeding pens; new 

 blood should add vitality to your stock, if well selected. Some 

 contend that better results are obtained where smaller aviaries 

 are used and a single pair placed in each. We have no argu- 

 ment to offer for this idea as we get the best possible results 

 from our birds with seven and eight pairs in an aviary. 



As no standard has yet been made, and there is none except 

 the ideal in the eye of the fancier, much cannot be said along 

 the line of technical mating. However, whether mating for 

 fancy or market purposes, always select the best stock and use 

 the culls for table purposes. 



