QUAIL PROPAGATION METHODS 21 



a person of proper character and knowledge to catch and 

 breed a few quails, as to allow irresponsible persons to shoot 

 a much larger number. Supervision of breeders by the 

 State is far more practicable than the enforcement of a bag 

 limit. 



Time to Acquire. The best time to acquire stock is in 

 autumn or early winter — ^when the young birds are suffi- 

 ciently matured, not too near spring when breeding might 

 be interfered with. Moreover, those who order early from 

 dealers are much more likely to get stock, for at present far 

 more birds are being ordered than can possibly be supplied. 

 Orders should be placed in spring or summer for delivery 

 in November or as soon thereafter as possible. 



Winter Quarters. In anticipation of the arrival of stock, 

 winter quarters should be prepared. No expensive or 

 elaborate outfit is necessary. Quails are hardy, like poultry, 

 and can easily endure the winter temperatures in their 

 natural range. The most mistaken kindness is to shut them 

 in a building and give them artificial heat. The most 

 elaborate shelter they can possibly need is a shed open to 

 the south. They will do just as well in a yard with generous 

 piles of evergreen boughs, or frames covered on top with 

 roofing-paper, with brush or straw under them. Another 

 good device is to have the north and west sides of the yard 

 boarded up a little to break the cold wind, and a long wide 

 board cover, slightly sloping, nailed along the windbreak, 

 to make a simple shelter. There should be brush or straw 

 under this, and piles of brush about the yard, as quails are 

 great skulkers. They are contented when they can hide, 

 but are always in a state of alarm in an open place. 



Holding-pen. Before the ground freezes, select a piece of 

 fairly level ground, preferably with turf and sheltered some- 

 what from the north and west, free from defilement by poul- 



