The Quail 35 



extremely difificult to locate when the dog is halted 

 among rotten logs, stumps, and cover wherein 

 various shades of red and brown predominate. 

 The same objection applies to the Gordon, to the 

 all-black, all-roan, or to any other coat inconspicu- 

 ous in color. Of course, in the open, the coat is 

 not so important, but in average quail-shooting 

 work in cover represents fully three-fourths of the 

 task ; hence, the best coat is a conspicuous mix- 

 ture of dark and white, which may be easily seen 

 both in thick cover and against a snowy back- 

 ground. 



Quail-shooting, early in the season, is compara- 

 tively easy. The birds flush almost underfoot, 

 they fly only moderately fast, and they cannot 

 carry off much shot. The chief obstacle to good 

 scores is thick cover; were it not for this, an 

 ordinarily good shot should grass about three- 

 fourths of his birds. Later on it is different; 

 then half the birds, taking them in and out of 

 cover, would be an excellent average for the sea- 

 son. A few suggestions to the novice may not 

 be out of place. 



First, if you have a good dog, let him alone — 

 keep your eye on him, but let him run. Avoid 

 all bawling of commands, because the sound of 

 the voice is apt to cause an untimely flush 

 when otherwise the bevy might have lain close. 

 Direct the dog by whistle and signals — birds 



