226 
QUAIL, OR PARTRIDGE. 
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 planta- 
tion, 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 mentions 
that they are also netted, or driven, as it is called. He thus describes 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 imitation of the call note, 
and, as Partridges are plentiful, the call is soon answered by a covey, when the 
sportsmen immediately proceed to ascertain their position and number, seldom 
considering it worth while to set the net when there are only a few birds. 
They approach in a careless 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 placing it, so that his 
companions can easily drive the Partridges into it. No sooner is the machine 
ready, than the net-bearer remounts and rejoins the party. The sportsmen 
separate to a short distance, and follow the Partridges, talking, whistling, 
clapping their hands, or knocking the fence-rails. The birds move with great 
