385 
and seeds, upon which they feed during the fall and winter, become scarce ; and 
the birds themselves become poorer and weaker, and unable to escape from their 
natural enemies. Still it must not be supposed that the wintering of a large num- 
ber is necessary for the preservation and increase of the stock. Each pair, if un- 
disturbed, will produce a brood of from fifteen to twenty-five, and a brace from 
each covey would thus continue the number. It must also be remembered that, 
if too many remain over, the increase will not be in proporiion. The quail is a 
pugnacious bird, and during the period of pairing, incubation and rearing, they 
disturb and destroy one another, if too abundant. Even if the killing of quails 
was entirely forbidden, it would not follow that the number would be materially 
increased. Probably three times as many are killed by their natural enemies as 
by man. The for, the weasel, the opossum, the polecat, and other quadrupeds, 
as well as the hawk and the owl, are constantly on the watch for them, and upon 
their feeding and roosting grounds they fall an easy prey to these marauders. 
Under the game law of 1857, there has been an evident increase ; but that has 
been because it protected them in the spring, and during the breeding season, and 
when too young to escape. With this protection, their numbers will always be 
maintained, unless destroyed by a long and rigorous winter, as is sometimes the 
case. In the northern part of the State they are always exposed to this, but in 
Southern Ohio it rarely happens, and they are there generally very abundant. If 
trapping and netting could be prevented, it would be well ; for by these methods 
the entire covey is sometimes taken. The owner has now full power to exclude trap- 
pers and netters from his lard; but it would be unfair, and indeed impossible, to 
enforce such a law against himself in the season when the killing is allowable. If 
no trapping is permitted after the first of February, the greatest danger will be 
removed. It is at this period that their food becomes scarce, and they are driven 
to the barns and stack-yards for sustenance, and thus fall an easy prey to the 
trapper. 
It is insisted by some that the quail should not be killed at all, because it is in- 
sectivorous ; and is, therefore, useful to the agriculturist. 
If the views above stated are correct, and none are permitted to be killed from 
the first day of February to the first day of October, a period of eight months, 
which includes almost the entire insect season, this benefit is not lost. 
The habits of the quail as to food, and the structure of its digestive organs, are 
the same as those of the domestic fowl. The fly, the grasshopper, the worm, is 
eagerly sought for, as well as the seeds and grains. In the spring and early 
summer he lives principally upon insects ; but does not forget to follow the farmer 
and pick up his oats, buckwheat and other seeds, in sowing time, and to scratch 
25 B 
