QUAIL. 453 
stump or fence-corner, all seated in a space less than the circumference of a half bushel 
measure, or even closer on a cold winter day, and betrays their confidence by firing upon 
them in this unsuspecting attitude, filling his bag with the dead, and marching off, 
having the brand of ‘‘sneak-thief” upon his brew, is a pot-hunter. He too, who with 
a show of indifference, rides about, pretending to be overseeing his own affairs, whistling 
around and around, until the poor ansuspecting birds, in order to get out of his way, 
nnconsciously walk into a net prepared for them, and asa reward for their confiding 
freindship, triamphantly pinches their heads, isa pot-hunter. Against such they have 
no protection. When these birds have warning of danger and wish to evade detection, 
or when elosely pursued, they will conceal themselves against the observation of their 
foes in the most magical manner; and if satisfied they are unobserved, will not move 
sometimes until they have suffered themselves to be captured on the spot.” Itis quite 
amusing to witness the changes that come over the dreams of the amateur sportsman 
when he fails to put up his expected birds. He knows where they are, for ho marked 
them all down in the meadow of short grass, within a few yards of a stump or tree. 
Then, it is such a commentary on his dogs, for he knows they are all right—never better, 
truer noses; still they go, over and over, round and round, without coming toa point. 
There, that dog has flushed a bird. Now he is assured they are all within twenty feet 
of that place; and he renews his search, and keeps his dogs going over and over the 
same ground, until both degs and gunner disgusted, quit the place. How they got 
away, and where they ail went to, and why that single bird remained where the covey 
went down, and why the dogs did not point that bird, all pass through the mind of the 
hunter as he leasurely marches on in search of better luck. He perhaps meets his ex- 
perienced friend, to whom he relates his disappointment, and who, in turn, proposes after 
@ given time to return to the meadow, stump or tree. They do so, and every dog comes 
toa point. Down come three birds. The dogs move cautiously, in a moment again 
stand. This repeated until the last bird has gone the gantlet. Experience of this kind 
is not a novelty, but occurs frequently. A few years since-I was out with a friend, and 
we flushed a very large covey, and marked them down accurately on an elevated piece 
of ground in a woodland pasture. The grass was short, and there was not even a weed 
or brier, and but here and there a large tree. We moved forward with three dogs, ex- 
pecting to bring on an engagement at once. We made the dogs approach cauticusly, 
giving them warning that game was in the immediate vicinity, but they arrived at the 
identical spot where we saw as many as thirty birds alight, without making the least 
demonstration whatever that there was anything unusual about tho place. We knew 
better, and made them go over and ever, crossing and re-crossing, until it seemed every 
foot and even every inch of ground had:been most thoroughly examined, We did this 
until two sportsmen and three good dogs gave up the pursuit. It was now past noon, 
and we sat down on the grass and uncorked our canteens and opened up the lanch. We 
were eating, talking and laughiag, occasionally rewarding the dogs with a cracker, when 
my friend, by way of sport, said, ‘‘ Look at old Tom, he is on a point.” The dog was 
half standivg, half down, with his nose thrown down under his chest, between his front 
legs. Sure enough he was on a point, for there was the bird, with its bright black eyes, 
only partially concealed by a leaf, almost under the dogs body. My friend placed his 
hat over it and caughtit, without moving from the dinner-table. Atthatinstant another 
dog made a point within six inches of my feet. I saw the bird at once, and attempted 
to capture it with my hand but it made its escape. This was the signal for a general 
move, and the whole covey rose from a}l around and about us. The concert of their 
actions in the manner of going down, retaining scent, remaining still under the most 
