Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-06-28

The Rod and Gun Club of Springfield,
Mass. says the Republican, received and lib
Grated. on Saturday 200 migratory quail.im
ported from Messins, Sicily, of which the
first lot was received in this country at Rut-
land, Vt, las, year. The present shipment
was accompanied by others of 200 to Pitts
field, 400 to Northampton and 200 to Rut-
land, besides which some of the same
birds have been received at Salisbury, Conn.
The experiment at Rutland has been quite
success, as the birds nested there last year
and some have already been seen that have
returned from the South this season. 10
Europe they fly as far n orth as Norway and
Sweden during the Summer, and winter in
Africa, crossing the coasts and islands of the
Mediterranean in such swarms during their
semi-annual migrations that they are taken
by thousands. 1t is believed that it was
this species of birds that darkened the
camp of Israel when that nation was march
ing through Arabia, as told in the 10th
chapter of Exodus. In India and other
warm countries this bird is permanent resi-
dent. The advantages of introducing the
species into this country is that they
escape the cold weather. which kills
many of the native quail, and breed at both
ends OF their journey, so that they multiply
rapidly. The birds, which were ordered IN
March through George Ii. Owen, Of Rut-
land, American consul at Messina, and
shipped May 18th, arrived in excellent con-
dition, and were released in lot about
half mile from Deacon Markham's. on the
South WIlbrsham road, and two miles this
side of Hampden. Within half mile OF the
spot is an abundance of swamp, meadow
land and dry burnt land, with hills not far
distant, so that the visitors can find homes
after their fancy. On being released from
the boxes in which they were confined they
flew like bullets, some Of them one hundred
rods, hut most of them alighting within 25
rods. In Vermont, last year, nests were
found soon after the birds were released,
and there is every reason to suppose that
if these are unmolested this year there will
be an abundance..of this species of game next
year and hereafter. The migratory quail Is
about two-thirds the size of the native bird,
but has bigger spread of wing. 1t is also
lighter in color, and the sexes are not so dis
tinctly marked. They never perch on trees.
but like the American quail always alIght
on the ground, flying only about three feet
high. The quail is polygamous, and breeds
rapidly. The nest is merely hole in the
ground with from to IL eggs. This bird is
also fine table bird, and is quite wild and
"gamey," so that it furnishes inter-
esting spcrt to the hunter. Hun
tiers will. OF course. forbear modest
ing any of these birds they may meet.
and mowers are also requested to look out
for them. 1t is thought that with proper
care these shipments of quail will result in
a permanent addition to the game birds Of
New England.
In addition to the shipments mentioned
above. 200 quails went to Middlebury, VI,
200 to Pottsville and 200 to Warren,
Pennsylvania.
A brood of quails, six young and two old
ones. which are believed to be identical
with the imported quails set at liberty last
year by Judge Everts. has been found on
the premises OF j. NJ. Shaw, North Pawlet.
They arc not quite as large as cartridges.
Those familiar with the quails on Cape Cod
say these are similar to them in voice and
size.