PRESERVATION AND PROPAGATION. 25 



ness of the bobwhite. AYhen several inches of snow were on the 

 ground and the thermometer registered from 15 to 27 degrees below 

 zero every night for a week, Mr. Bokis took a tramp to see how the 

 birds had fared. He found no dead birds, but saw six thrifty 

 coveys — 81 birds in all. They were feeding on ragweed projecting 

 from the snow, and were jumping up to reach seeds on sprays above 

 their heads. Some coveys remained under shelter of little weed 

 patches, but others ranged over the more open fields. 



In Maryland and Virginia large landowners often feed their birds 

 in severe weather. "Wheat and corn are the best food, and should be 

 scattered, rf possible, among the briers where the birds are safe from 

 hawks. Bobwhites have been known to feed with chickens in barn- 

 yards. By a little forethought landowners and sportsmen can easily 

 make winter provision for their birds. Sumac bushes should be 

 left along hedgerows and the edge of woodland to furnish food 

 that is always above the snow and lasts well into spring. Twelve 

 bobwhites collected in December in North Dakota had made nine- 

 tenths of their food of sumac, having eaten from 50 to 300 berries 

 each. A similar use, in coast regions, of the bayberry and wax 

 myrtle has been noted. Their berries, as well as those of sumac, 

 last till ^lay, and the plants should always be spared by everyone 

 who is interested in the welfare of the bobwhite. Smilax, affording 

 little food but fine cover, and wild roses, giving both food and cover, 

 are also valuable. Blackberry thickets, j'oung pine woods, laurel, 

 and holly furnish safe retreats from enemies. 



The farmer can well afford to feed the bobwhite in winter, but he 

 can not afford to spend as much time and money as the owner of game 

 preserves, and for the latter class further suggestions may be helpful. 

 In the Eastern and Southern States land that vsill not grow profitable 

 crops may be used for the game preserve, provided it has water and 

 bushy coverts. The use of the mowing machine, so destructive to 

 eggs and young birds, should be avoided when possible during the 

 breeding season. Wheat for the birds should be sown in long strips 

 not o^'er 50 yards wide. The best of the grain may be har\ested and 

 the rest left standing. On the stubble a luxuriant growth of ragweed 

 will generally spring up — a perfect food supply, except that it does 

 not last till spring ; hence the need of sumac or bayberry. In regions 

 too dry for ragweed to grow in the stubble, sunflowers are an excellent 

 substitute. Sorghum, millet (Chmtochloa) ^ and possibly panicum 

 may be planted and left standing. Pop corn will be found particu- 

 larly valuable, as large corn can not easily be swallowed by the 

 younger birds. Buckwheat, and in the South the nutritious cowpea, 

 and the climbing false buckwheat, the thick tangles of which also 

 ?ifford good cover, bear excellent food. Other plants of the genug 



