The Oregon Sportsman 



Volume III FEBRUARY, 1915 Number 2 



THE BOB-WHITE IN OREGON. 



The spring call of the male gave this bird its name ''bob- 

 white." It is the best known game bird throughout the United 

 States, generally called quail through the north where the 

 ruffed grouse is called " partridge." But Bob-white is often 

 called "partridge" in the southern states. It is a bird highly 

 sought by the sportsmen, a bird that is a valuable friend of the 

 farmer. 



In our Oregon country, Bob-white is loved by all. Since his 

 coming many years ago, there has never been an open season in 

 this state. No bird gladdens the heart of the Oregon farmer 

 more than Bob-w T hite as he calls from the top of an old rail fence, 

 for the larger part of our farmers knew him in bare-foot days 

 among the hills of the eastern states. He is the friend and com- 

 panion about the garden and field. His call means gladness and 

 satisfaction. To some of my farmer friends, he is always an 

 optimist. If a shower is needed, one may hear Bob-white calling 

 — "More-wet! More-wet!" After a dreary downpour, that has 

 lasted for several days, Bob-white is sure to mount an old brush 

 heap and sing just as confidently — "No-more-wet! No-more- 

 wet!" 



The history of the introduction of the Bob-white quail 

 into Oregon would be very interesting if it were complete. 

 A few birds were brought in from the east thirty or thirty-five 

 years ago and liberated in the Willamette valley. 



Mr. J. H. Kaley of Pendleton writes that during the fall of 

 1893 he secured sixty Bob-white quail from the Willamette valley 

 and liberated them on McKay creek on the place where he was 

 then living. This accounts for the coveys of Bob-white quail along 

 the Umatilla river west of Pendleton. During the summer of 

 1911. I heard several Bob-white quail calling on the grounds of 



