UPLAND SHOOTING. 
223 
equally certain that, under other circumstances, they suffer more 
severely in this region of country, than any other bird of game ; 
and that in unfavorable seasons they run great danger of being 
altogether annihilated. The fear of this result has led to what 
I consider hasty and inconsiderate legislation on the subject. 
Long severe snows, when the country is buried many feet 
deep, and he can procure no sustenance, save from the preca^ 
rious charity of man, famishes him outright—heavy drifts, espe 
cially when succeeded by a partial thaw, and a frost following 
the thaw, stifles him, in whole bevies encased in icy prison 
houses. 
It is the peculiar habit of this bird to lie still, squatted in con¬ 
centric huddles, as they are technically called, composed of the 
whole bevy, seated like the radii of a circle, with their tails in¬ 
ward, so long as snow, sleet, or rain continues to fall. So soon 
as it clears off, and the sun shines out, with a simultaneous 
effort, probably at a preconcerted signal, they all spring up at 
once with an impetus and rush, so powerful, as carries them 
clear through a snow-drift many feet in depth ; unless it be 
skinned over by a frozen crust, which is not to be penetrated by 
their utmost efforts. In this latter case, where the storm has 
been general over a large extent of country, the Quail are not 
unfrequently so near to extinction, that but a bevy or two will 
be seen for years, on ground where previously they have been 
found in abundance; and at such times, if they be not spared 
and cherished, as they will be by all true sportsmen, they may 
be destroyed entirely throughout a whole region. 
This was the case especially, through all this section of the 
country, in the tremendous winter of 1835-’36, when these birds, 
which had been previously very abundant, were almost annihi¬ 
lated ; and would have been so, doubtless, but for the anxiety 
which was felt generally, and the energetic means which were 
taken to preserve them. 
Another peril, which at times decimates the breed for a sea¬ 
son, is a sudden and violent land-flood in June and July, which 
drowns the young broods ; or a continuance of cold, showery, 
VOL. i. 17 
