Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-03-19
Migratory Quail.

1t Is not generally known that large
| number OF migratory quail were imported
from Italy last year and liberated In various
parts In the United States. More than one
bali OF the entire quantity were distributed tn
Maine. This quail (COtsa-uir Communist is the
common migratory quail Of Europe, which for
centuries has been known to cross the Medi.
terranean, In passing from its winter home In
Africa TO Its breeding places throughout Eu-
rope, returning again TO Africa In the autumn.
Tne migratory quail resembles In outward ap-
peaTance our American partridge which are
called quail in New England. The migratory
quail Is One-third smaller than the New Eng
land bird, and the throat OF the male Is marked
WIN dark brown or black, extending from the
bill downwardS.
Some young quail of the European species
were captured near st. john ". B., a few
months ago, though none were liberated nearer
that place than at st. stephen. Several were
heard and seen near Machias during last sum
mer and autumn. None were liberated nearer
tnan the Penonseot Valley, In the west. or at
markable, however, for this quail can fly nifty
miles an hour, and, unlike our American par
fridge or quail, 1t is capable OF long sustained
nights: Migratory or true quail multiply very
rapidly, and Judge Martin G. Everts, of Rut-
land, Vt, who introduced them here, predicts
that In twenty years they Will be the most nu.
meIous game bird In America
The habits OF these birds In this country are
the same as In Europe. They arrive on their
nesting ground In May and migrate about the
end OF september. Their faVOrlte resorts are
meadows and fields OF grain. Their food COZ.
slsts OF grain, herbs and hemp, poppy and
turn1p seed. They feed also on grasshopper5
worms insects and their eggs and larvae The
female makes her nest In June or July. 1t Is a
rev straw5. and contains from eight TO four
teen greenfsh eggs, marked With large brown
Spots. The notes OF the male. especially In
anS neaainG Gghts II summer are very clear
Ing, even before the Wood-shruSh or robin
hunks OF shaking up his little feather bed, the
GEAR Tn metallic notes Of the migratory quail.
sur the morning air. Although not so melo.
dious as the BOB Whites notes, they can be
heafd longer distance. After a preliminary
SLUT ana cultural eluek, the quau raises
~ ass, 10 ms lull height and then from three
10 elght times he repeats, as near as can be
written, "Pick-p er-a-wick.D A law was passad
last winter in Maine protecting migratory
guar Ior three years and prescribing a severe
interfering with them.
A most interesting trait exhibited By these
nlrGs Is their love OF old ha UNITS. Although
continent, indeed, in order 10 spend the Winter
IN warmer Chimes, yet do they return North In
tne spring. not only TO the same state. but to
the same Wo0d-lof, brook and mead wv In which
tney were reared. The. Hon. Everett Smith.
one OF the Maine Game Commissioners, has re,
cslSed numerous letters In proof OF this fact.
0 Un OF these Is from Mr.. Horace p. Tobey, OF
North Falmouth, on Cape Col, is a long
WOODED peninsula, known as Mes Point and
Owned oy Mr. Downer. D0wner released
upon ths5 point batch OF migratory quail. In
time they bred, raised their young AMI djsan
peaIed. The following season tvs large ticks
OF migratory quail were found upon that same
WOODED pciat, from which they had taken
their fight the preceding year Presumably
the TWO coVie5 started were but small port ION
OF the birds that had returned to take possess
sion OF their Old quarters Such instances are
western sportsmen VINO are Interested In the
introduction Into this country OF a raodIy
preceding thoroughly game bird, adapted TO
furnishing abundant sport, and able to protect
user Dy Its migrau0nS from the deadly winters
or the north and WeSt."-THe Hour.
Editor Forest and Stream: am Ia receipt O,
Sar under date OF January, Is, from MI.
carr f. Braun, OF MeSsina, Sicily, By whom
most OF the migratory quail that have come to
this country was shipped. He requests me to
make public his prices and terms FOR the pre-
columns Mr.. Braun offers to deliver the cages
OF one hundred birds each On board steamer,
20 provide food for the voyage. to prepay the
1felght TO New York, and 70 effect marine In.
surance against total loss, all for the price OF
$50 per cage OF one hundred birds. He re-
serves, E0Weyer, the right to cancel the orders
ana return the money In case the fight OF
DiiuS curing Inc coming season proves TO be SO
small That he cannot execute the orders with
out loss 10 himself. Those who have received
birds from Mr.. Braun In previous years viii
bear cheerful testimony to the conscientious
manner In which he performed his part of the
contract, and to the excellent condition In
Which the birds arrived. The greatest loss
that came to my notice was six from one cage;
the average loss was less than three per cent,
and In many cases not q single bird was lost.
The terms named by Gr. Braun are cash In
advance; evidently the only terms upon which
1t IS possible for him TO deal With purchasers at
such distance Upon the arrival OF the birds
they must be passed through the Custom
House duty free) and must be delivered 70 eX-
press companies, to be forwarded 10 their re-
spective destinations. AS this is trouble.
some operation for parties at q distance !
VIII, as Ii former years, at the request OF Mr..
Braun. and La order 70 facilitate the importa-
tlon attend TO IL free of charge; and | will also
receive and forward to MIR. Braun any orders
anu money sc MT to me By parties desiring to
tILpoli. No ORDERS are received excepting for
Iui cages OF enc hundred birds each, and the
price OF large aud small lots Is the same. 60
VIII, $50 for each cage. The latest time to for.
ward an order with any possibility OF having
IL Ltieo Is Aprll l; and the chances are more
than even that orders received here 40 late as
that cannot be filied.
Those desiring TO order from Mr. Braun will
please send 70 me as quickly as possible and
certainly before April l, their orders with casa
fncloSed to the amount OF $50 fer each CAGE.
and with full address and name OF ex0ress
route preferred for shipping the birds from
New York. j viii buy the foreign exchange
and send 1t and the orders TO AR. Braun after
which my responsibility ends until the bird
arrive In New York, when viii see that they
are passed through the Custom House and
given TO the express company designated by
the purchaser.
AS some Of your readers may be Interested
to know how many migratory quail have al
ready been imported, give below the exact
figures for 1879 and 1880, and figures which |
believe TO be correct for 1877 aud 1873.
Imported In 1871 200; 1913, 5000; 1879, 2,0i6
1850. 5,1o0; total. 49, SAC. HORACE P. ToBkY.
u Otter street, Boston, XGSS.