IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
once fortune was with me. I approached very carefully, and 
as they flushed I counted twelve birds, including the parents, 
whipbk of course, could not be distinguished. There were two 
ihissing, and I presumed those were young birds who had fallen 
victims~tp some swooping hawk or prowling fox. 
Next to man, the hawk and the fox, notwithstanding many 
ments made to the contrary, are the worst enemies of the 
Aqhail. So sudden is their attack, that the poor, frightened birds 
scarcely have a chance to escape. The laws of Ohio have pro¬ 
hibited quail shooting for two years, so at least my bird family 
,Isoimmune from fatalities on that score during the Winter. 
^In view bf the fact that the young birds were now full grown, 
I felt that there was a reasonable chance of the bevy getting 
gh the season unless the weather became too inclement, 
baler was coming on in leaps and bounds, and I resolved 
o 
* to befriepd my little proteges wherever I could. 
-1 - ^ . 
in^ber went by rapidly and January was ushered in, 
old andsfcVere. I awoke one morning to find it snowing, and r 
ipon looking out I saw that the ground was covered to a depth 
of nearly a foot. Immediately I thought of my poor Bobs ex- 
.A\'i "- posed to all the rigors of this wintry morning, and I decided to 
. . 
an 
i them if possible. So donning heavy clothing and substan^, 
