LIST AND DESCRIPTION 75 



natural haunts have been destroyed by the drainage and cultiva- 

 tion of all the wild land. Prairie Chickens, Quail and Grouse 

 constitute the only big family of birds that can take their place in 

 successfully keeping down insects. 



Our game laws are adequate but sadly disregarded by a 

 large portion of our population. 



289. BoBWHITE (Colinus virginianus virginianus.) 



The "Quail" is one of our most valuable and best known 

 birds. However, it is shy and said to be very difficult of domes- 

 tication; yet it is never found far away from civilization. It is 

 now found over the State except, perhaps, in the northwestern 

 part; but it is not abundant and never will be unless given more 

 protection. It is not a migratory bird, seldom moving a mile 

 from where it was raised; it is therefore placed at the mercy of 

 our severe winters with their deep snow. During the fall low 

 rude pole sheds should be erected in thickets and covered with 

 straw or fodder to afford protection : they should be quite large 

 and banked on two sides, so that snow will not fill them com- 

 pletely. In these sheds a few handfuls of grain should be scat- 

 tered often enough to attract the birds and keep them familiar 

 with the surroundings. They should also be fed now and then 

 during deep snow. When there is little or no snow they have 

 no trouble in securing weed seeds, of which each "Quail" will 

 devour many pounds during a winter season. In the summer 

 their food consists principally of insects, hence we can readily 

 see that they are continually working for the farmer and that 

 he can well afford to offer the little fellows the small protec- 

 tion and food that are necessary to help through the severe 

 snow storms. 



The Bobwhite is about nine inches in length. In the male 

 the throat, forehead and line over eye are white, bordered with 

 black ; while in the female these white markings around the head 

 are buffy or dull. The body is brownish red mixed with white 

 and black. 



297. Dusky Grouse (Dendragapus obscurus obscurus.) 

 "Fool Hen." 

 This Grouse is rare in South Dakota, but a few may be 

 seen in or near the Black Hills. It is one of the largest of our 



