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do persecution can drive it into the wilderness. Naturally speaking, the partridge 
is, therefore, part and parcel of our agriculture, and though the farmer may see it 
only as an evil in the portion of grain that it destroys, yet it must have good in it, 
and that good must counterbalance the evil. The weevil, the cynips, and theriptt- 
Ice come along with cultivated grain and cultivated vegetables and roots, in count- 
less myriads, to consume those surplus seeds and grains, which, if man did not 
take them for his use, would choke all else and each other. But as man takes the 
produce of vegetables, the partridge and other birds which frequent the cultivated 
fields, come and consume that, which but for them, would deprive man of his 
produce, and do it in a way which he could not prevent or materially check. It is 
true that when the insects have disappeared for the season, and those seeds which 
the birds have been so instrumental in preserving are matured, the birds take 
their share ; but in justice, why should they not, for they are the preservers of 
the whole.” 
The same author, in another place, remarks: “ The young of the partridge 
feed on small insects, larvce, and insects’ eggs, and the old ones lead them to the 
places where they are deposited and scrape away the mould. An ant-hill in 
friable soil is a fat pasture, and myriads of the eggs and larvae are eaten by the 
young partridges.” 
In confirmation of these views of one of the most accurate of ornithologists, it 
is proper to state, that during one of the late discus=ions of the Madison Farmers’ 
Club, one of the members stated, that during the last year he had killed a quail, 
and on examination of its stomach, found it to contain three hundred specimens 
of that insect, so destructive to the wheat crop, known as the midge. 
In further support of this recommendation of the committee, it is suggested, 
that, in many parts of the State, the quail has been almost exterminated by the 
gun and the severe cold of several of our late winters. Is it not, therefore, wise 
to protect this bird, for two or three years, at all events, in order that it may in- 
crease and multiply ? 
In conclusion the committee, for the reasons above given, earnestly recommends 
the passage of the bill, with the proposed amendments. 
Respectfully submi ted, 
W. B. WOODS, 
W. B. McCLUNG, 
ABEL KRUM. 
