QUAIL, OR PARTRIDGE. 227 



Honduras. They rarely frequent the forest, and are most 

 numerous in the vicinity of well-cultivated plantations, where 

 grain is in plenty. They, however, occasionally seek shelter 

 in the woods, perching on the branches or secreting them- 

 selves among the brushwood ; but are found most usually in 

 open fields, or along fences sheltered by thickets of briers. 

 Where they are not too much persecuted by the sportsmen, 

 they become almost half domesticated ; approach the barn, 

 particularly in winter, and sometimes, in that severe season, 

 mix with the poultry to glean up a subsistence. They remain 

 with us the whole year, and often suffer extremely by long, 

 hard winters, and deep snows. At such times, the arts of 

 man combine with the inclemency of the season for their 

 destruction. To the ravages of the gun are added others of a 

 more insidious kind ; traps are placed on almost every plan- 

 tation, in such places as they are known to frequent. These 

 are formed of lath, or thinly-split sticks, somewhat in the 

 shape of an obtuse cone, laced together with cord, having a 

 small hole at top, with a sliding lid to take out the game by. 

 This is supported by the common figure 4 trigger ; and grain 

 is scattered below and leading to the place. By this con- 

 trivance, ten or fifteen have sometimes been taken at a time.* 



* In addition to the common traps now described, Mr Audubon men- 

 tions that they are also netted, or driven, as it is called. He thus de- 

 scribes the method of driving : — 



" A number of persons on horseback, provided with a net, set out in 

 search of partridges, riding along the fences or brier thickets which the 

 birds are known to frequent. One. or two of the party whistle in imi- 

 tation of the call-note, and, as partridges are plentiful, the call is soon 

 answered by a covey, when the sportsmen immediately proceed to ascer- 

 tain their position and number, seldom considering it worth while to 

 set the net when there are only a few birds. They approach in a care- 

 less manner, talking and laughing as if merely passing by. When the 

 birds are discovered, one of the party gallops off in a circuitous manner, 

 gets in advance of the rest by a hundred yards or more, according to 

 the situation of the birds, and their disposition to run, while the rest 

 of the sportsmen move about on their horses, talking to each other, but 

 at the same time, watching every motion of the partridges. The person 

 in advance being provided with the net, dismounts, and at once falls to 



