THE AMERICAN QUAIL. Q57 
Canada West, where they are exceedingly abundant, on 
the first of September; which is, for many reasons, 
entirely too early, as hereafter I shall endeavor to 
demonstrate. 
In my own opinion, the first of N ovember, and even 
the middle of October, are too late for the termination 
of the Quail’s close-time, inasmuch as five-sevenths of 
the broods in ordinarily forward seasons are full-grown 
and strong on the wing, as well as all the crops off the 
ground, by the first of October; and although the late, 
second, or third broods may be undersized, they are still 
well able to take care of themselves in case the parent 
birds are killed ; whereas, on account of their immature 
size, they are safe from the legitimate shot; and, on 
account of their unsaleability in market to the restau- 
rant, from the poaching pot-shot also. 
I should, therefore, myself, be strongly inclined to 
advocate the adoption of one common day, and that day 
the first of October, for the close-time of all our upland 
game ; the English Snipe alone excepted. Touching the 
reasons for postponing the day of Woodcock-shooting, a 
notice will be found in our July number, and an extend- 
ed discussion in my Field Sports, vol. I. pp. 169 to 200. 
Of the Quail, in regard to this point, I have said enough 
here, unless this ; that, in my opinion, there is far more 
need to protect them from the trap during the wintry 
snows, than from the gun in the early autumn; the 
latter cannot possibly at any time exterminate the race ; 
