92 FIELD SHOOTING. 



quail does not .seem to be very particular at times 

 about having a nest of her own. I have known 

 them to lay in the nests of pinnated grouse, and in 

 those of barn-door fowl which had made their nests 

 in hedges or bunches in weeds in fence-corners. It is 

 always easy to learn when quail are breeding in the 

 neighborhood, for at such times as the hen is laying 

 or sitting the cock perches on a fence, a stump, 

 or an old corn.stock, and whistles for joy. The 

 note seems to express great satisfaction and de- 

 light. The young quail are no sooner hatched 

 than they are active and ready to follow their 

 mother. The latter is very watchful, attentive, 

 and devoted, ready to risk her own life to afford 

 a chance of safety to her offspring. If a man or a 

 dog approaches the whereabouts of her young brood, 

 the mother simulates lameness, and flutters about 

 as if in a crippled condition, to lead the intruder 

 another way. The early broods come off about 

 the middle of June, when, the spring being for- 

 ward, the birds have paired early. I saw young 

 quail and young grouse this year myself in the 

 middle of June. It is my impression that when 

 the season is early and other circumstances favor- 

 able, the hen-quail raises two broods. I have 

 often seen early broods under the care of the 



