Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1843-07-28
The Q,st.tl.

1Rc @kuUss. 3t
We would with the editor Of The Naiioa-
al Intelligencer walk six miles to shake,
hands with the writer of the following ar
ticlc, and would not mind, moreover lend
ing lick ourselves at the murderous dar-
key whom he sojustly anthcmatizes The
article is, we believe, from an old number
Of the Knickerbocker i
Some OBSERVATIONS Con- cERNINo THE
QUATL.-fhe quail is the bird for me.
He is no rover, no emigrant. He stays
at home and is identified with the soil.
Where the farmer works, he lives, and
loves, and whistles. In budding spring
time and in schorching summer, in boun-
teous autumn and in barren winter, his
voice is heard from the bushy ledge>fence
and from his customary cedars. Cupidi-
~ and cruelty may drive him TO the woods
and 10 seek more quiet seats !; but be mer-
ciful and kind TO him, and he will visi.
your barn-yard, and sing for you upon the
boughs ofthe apple-tree by your gateway.
But when warm May first woos the young
flowers to open and receive her breath,
then begin the loves, the jealousies. and
duels, of the heroes of the bevy. Duels
too often, alas bloody and fatal for there
live.h not an individual Of the gallinaceous
order. Drawer, holder, more enduring than
cock quail fighting for his lady-love.
Arms, too, he wielde,h. such as give no
vain blows. rightly used. His mandible
serves for other purposes than mere biting
of grasshoppers and picking up Indian
corn. While the dire affray RACES Miss
Quailina looketh on from her safe perch
on limb above the :comba,ants, impartial
spectatress, holding her love under her left
wing patiently and when the vanquished
craven finally bites the dust. descends and
rewards the conquering hero with her.
heart and hand.
Few begin the cares and responsible
Ties of welded life, away fly the happy
pair to seek some grassy tussock. where,
safe from the eye Of the hawk and the nose
of the fox, they may rear their expected
brood in peace, providcnt, and not doubt
ing that their espousals will be blessed
with a numerous offspring. Oat harvest
arrives, and the fields are waving with yell
low grain. Now be wary, oh, kind heart
ed GRADER; and tread not into those pure,
white eggs ready TO burst withlifc. Soon
proud mother wafketh magniicently in
the midst OF her children, scratching and;
picking, and teaching them 10 swallow.
dappy she, if she may be permitted TO;
bring them upto maturity. and compelled
to renew her joys in another nest.
The assiduitics of a mother have beau.
~ and sacredness about them that cons
mand respect and reverence in all animal
nature, human or inhuman-w what lie
does that word carry-cxcept, perhaps, in
monsters, insects, and fish. never yet
heard Of the parental tenderness of a trout
eating up his little baby, nor of the filial
gratitude of spider. nipping the life out
Of his gray>headcd father, and usurping
his web. But if you would see the pu-.
rest, the sincercst, the most affecting piety
Of a parents love, startle young family
of quails, and watch the conduct Of the
mother. She will not leave you. No.
not she. But she will fall at your feet,
uttcring noise which none but distress
sed mother can make, and she will run
and Auttcr, and seem to try to be caught,
and cheat your outstrctchcd hand, and at.
feet TO be wingbrokon and wounded, and
yet have just strength enough to tumble
along, until she has drawn you, fa,igued,
safe distance from her threatened chill
dren and tho young hopes Of her heart;
and then will she mount, whirring with
glad strength. and away through the maze
Of trees you have not seen before, like
close shot bullet fly to her skulking infants.
Listen now! Do you hear those three
half plaintivc notes quickly and clearly
pourd out? She is calling the boy. and
girls together. She sings not now "Bob
White - nor sAh Bob, white" That
is her husbands lovccall, or his trumpet
blast Of defence. But she Calls swce,ly
and softly for her lost children. Hear
them "peep! peep! peepp' at the well
come voice Of their mothers love They
are coming together. Soon the whole
family will meet again. 1t is foul sin to
disturb them; but rctread your devious
way, and let her hear your coming foot
steps breaking down the briars as YOU re-
new the dangsr. She is quiet; not word
is passed between tire fearful fugityes.
Now. if you have the heart to do it, lie |
low, keep e,ill and initiate the call of the
hen quail Oh. mother! mother how
you, heart would die, if you could witness
tho deception The little ones raise up
their trembling heads, and catch comfort
and imagined safety from the sound
" Peep! peep!' they come TO you, strain
ing their little eyes, and clustering togeth-
er, and answering. seem to say, "where
is she! Mother! mother! we are here !" !