813 
QUAIL, OK PARTRIDGE. 
About the beftinuiug of September, the quails being 
Row nearly full grown, and associated in Hocks, or 
coveys, of from four or five to thirty, afford considerable 
Sport to the gunner. At this time the notes ot the 
Riale are most frequent, clear, and loud. His common 
call consists of two notes, with sometimes an introduc- 
tory one, and is similar to the sound produced by 
pronouncing the words “ Bob White.” Ibis call may 
>ie easily imitated by whistling, so as to deceive the 
bin! itself, and bring it near. While uttering this, 
he is usually perched on a rail of the fence, or on a low 
limb of an'ajiple tree, where be u ill sometimes sit, 
cepeatin'r, at short intervals, “ Bob White,” for half an 
hour at '"a time. When a covey are assembled m a 
thicket, or corner of a field, and about to take wing, 
they make a low twittering sound, not unlike that ot 
young chickens ; and, when the covey is di-spersed, they 
are called together again by a loud and Irequeiitly 
repeated note, peculiarly expres.sive of tenderness and 
"TliFfood of the partridge consists of gr.ain, seeds, 
anti berries of various kinds. Buek\yheat and 
Indian com are particular favourites. In Sejitember 
nnd October, the buckwheat fields aftord them an 
“hiindaiit supply, as well as a secure shelter. 'Hiey 
hsually roost at night iii the middle of a held on high 
Ifroiiud; and from the circumstance of their dung 
heiuo' often found in siii li places in one round heap, it 
Is generally coniectured that they roost in a circle, with 
♦heir heads outwards, each individual in this position 
hirinim.- a kind of guard to prevent surprise. They 
also continue to lodge for several nights in the same 
apot. 
The partrid-'e, like all the rest of the gallinaceous 
'h'der, flies with a loud whirring sound, occasioned by 
‘he shortness, concavity, and rapid motion ot its wiiigsi 
and the comparative weight of its body. H'n steadi- 
"♦■Ks of its horizontal flight, however, renders it no 
difficult mark to the sportsman, particularly when 
assisted by his sagacious pointer. The flesh ot this bird 
