Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-11

re 1ira that Il to Re-stoek oar Forests
and Meadow.

and Meadow.
The migratory. or Messina quail, which
have inst been distributed to Augusta and
vicinity, are but little known in this STATE.
They we're imported from Italy BY Horace ?.
Tobey, Esq. of Boston, who. by-the-way Is
= brother Of Geo. o. Tobey, Esq, Of this city.
ell Known for his interest in sporting mat
ters. They were obtained through Hon. Carl
f. Braup. e. S. Consul to Sicily. Through
the influence of Hon. Everett Smith, Com
missioner If Fisheries, few of the men,
hers of the Kennebec Association for the Pro-
lection of Fish and Game subscribed 500 for
the importation Of quail.
.Judee Martin G. Everts of Rutland, VT.
was the pioneer in introducing migratory
quail into the United States. His attention
was first called to the subject by letter
from DIR. Goldsmith published in the Rod and
Gun in 1876. Judge Evarts at once adj
dressed an open letter to DIR. Goldsmith then
travelling abroad. and this led to a cores
pondenee with Hon. Geo. H. Owen, then L.
s. Consul at Messina, in the island of Sicily.
He made arrangements to have sent him 200
birds and was so fortunate as to receive on
the Sth of June 1877, 1871 birds, only three
having died or been lost on their long journey
of four thousand miles. Judge Evarts makes
this prediction in the Forest and Stream
.sthat in twenty years they will be the most
numerous game bird here in America
These birds will be a great addition to the
game birds of Maine. They are prolific
breeders their flesh is fine eating. and equal
in game qualities to the Virginia quail and
ruffed grouse. Like all other migratory birds
they 90 South in the fall and spend the win
ter in warm climate, returning North in the
spring to the place where they nested the year
before A sufficient number of migratory
quail have been placed in different parts of
New England to demonstrate that they come
back to the very place where they were turned
loose after their long voyage from Italy. The
birds that were put out in Rockland last year
are reported to have returned in considerable
numbers In 1873 Mr.. Downes released
batch on Cape Cod, and last year they re-
turned to the same place. Judge Everts Of
Rutland, VT, imported 200, and reported
their return in large numbers last spring.
The same encouraging reports of the return
o. quail come from other parts of the United
States and from Canada.
The habits Of the migratory quail in this
country is, AS far as observed. about the same as
in Europe. They arrive on their nesting ground
in May and migrate the last of September.
Their favOrite resorts are meadows and grain,
particularly wheat fields. Their food con.
sists of grain, herbs and hemp, poppy and tur-
nip seeds. They also feed largely on grass
hOppers, worms, insects and their eggs and
larv@. The female builds her nest in June
and July; it Is a mere depression in the
ground, surrounded by few straws, and con-
=. tanning from eight to fourteen whitish-gray
eggs, marked with large brown spots.
In color the quail resemble the ruffed
grouse or partridge Of New England. being
shade darker. (These Migratory and the
xv1,i far nrfh
Massachusetts, are the true cartridges, while
our so-called partridge, does not belong to
the partridge family at all but is the ruffed
grouse.) They are about as large as wood
cOck-perhaps few ounces heavier when
fat.
The notes of the male, especially in NOON
light nights in summer, are very clear and
pleasing. writer In the Forest and Stream,
says of the quail: Every spring or summer
morning, even before the wood thrush or
robin thought of shaking up theirli feath-
er beds preparatory to singing their morning
prayers. the clear, metallic notes Of the quail,
in its German Wachtel haus, would stir the
morning air. These notes, although not as
sweet and melodious as old Bob Whites, can
be heard longer distance. and as before re-
marked, have a peculiar metallic ring about
them. After preliminary strut and
gutteral cluck the quail raises itself to its
full height, and then from three to eight times
it repeats as near as can be written, 'Pick-
per-a-wick' There is pause of perhaps
second between each sharp and clearly de-
fined note. After the last note there is
pause of two or three seconds before
repeating. Throughout perfect time Is kept"
1t is expected that sportsmen will take an
especial interest in these new corners, and
that farmers on whose farms they are let loose,
Al. l. L
after them as their own property, ard report
to the Kennebec Association any attempt to
kill them or rob their nests. A law was
passed last winter protecting migratory quail
for three years, and inficting severe penal
ty on any person killing, or in any way inter-
fering with the birds or their nests. NJ.
Notes from the Camp Ground.
The Kennebec Valley Campmeeting Asso-
citation assembled here to-day, and at its close
the Executive Committee held session. 1t
seemed to be unanimously agreed that the