Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-10-16
BOB WHITE AND WIFE.
The common quail, ortyx vlrginianus

("Bob White''), breeds in almost every
State in the Union. Ii Is the typical
game bird, and is probably sought after
more by the sportsmen of North Amer
lea than any other game bird.
And "Bob White" by the way, Is de-
serving of right honorable mention. He
is dainty, plump, clean and well be-
haved little chap; he does all he can to
increase and multiply and bring up his
large family in the path Of rectitude
and as an honor TO Mr.. and Mrs. "B.
White" He has some funny ways, and
queer ways at all; he Is courageous and
at certain seasons pugnacious, and Mrs.
Bob, when caring for her young and
promising family, Is plucky to degree.
In defending her young from real and
fancied danger she exhibits courage
really wonderful, aud will not take
wing unless In immediate and dreadful
danger OF capture. The individual who
would at such times Kill the parent bird,
or at any time entrap a whole covey
and then wiring their necks, Is H. for
"treason, treachery and spoils." Hc
can have no heart, and Is not entitled 10
the name of "man." And he Is the
same wretch who would creep up To
within gunshot of the male bird aud
shoot him from his perch on the fence
or log, while poor "Bob" was doing his
best with his clear merry whistle To en-
courage aud help his spouse through
the tolls of incubation, sitting hard by
on her nest.
Some years since it was argued by
naturaists and other close observers OF
our game birds as TO whether the quail
matches two broods year regularly. IL
has now been definitely settled that q.
such L. the case when the weather aud
all conditions are favorable To nesting.
In my observations South, two broods
are the rule rather than the exception,
aud Ia two cases knew OF three broods
being brought forth In one season. In
fact am led TO believe that IL the quail
was not SO very prolific We would have
few Of them In any locality, they have
20 many natural enemies. Hawks feed
on them largly. Having discovered the
bevy they will stay with them. watch
Ing all opportunities TO catch bird aud
often will thus destroy the entire brood.
Lave never lost an opportunity To Kill
hawk. Once while my dogs were
working up coyey saw a large hawk
swoop down In the broom scdge.grass
ahead of me, and as he nrose n large
number Of birds whirred out IN all d.
rections, uttering cries OF distress. In
stantly covering the big bird | had the
satisfaction Of dropping him, aud found
In his claws live quail badly scared.
IL soon died, however. On examination
could find no shot marks, but found
Jagged wounds made by those horrible
claws. Owls, wcasels, minks and foxes
are enemies of the quail, and make great
havoc III tnclr RANKS.
The nest OF Mrs. B. White Is very sim
ple-it Is made OF well-dried grass, soft
ly lined, and Is built In some secluded
place on the ground. The eggs number
from eighteen to two dozen, and are
white; they are peaked nj one end aud
quite blunt at the other. The time OF
incubation Is usually from twenty-ono
to twenty-five days. As soon as the
little chicks are out Of the shell they
leave the nest and follow Mrs. Bob as
| IL they had been accustomed 10 IL all
their lives, which they really have, by
the way. IL Is beautiful sight TO watch
such family; watch them when they
think danger far removed; Mrs. Bob,
uttering a soft peep, scratching vIgor-
ously here and there, the little family
running hither or thithcr, or clustering
around the mother to investigate the re.
suits Of the scratchings. Alarm them,
and instantly the observer Is left soli-
tary and alone In the midst OF vast
solitude. The brood has scattered, each
chick apparently for itself has sought
hiding place, and thus they remain un-
! til the reassuriDg voice of the parent
bird calls them back 10 be cuddlcd up
under maternal wings, peepiDg out here
aud there, but feeling safe la tbis shell
| fnr of ahalfarz \ t.uu. .I.aanI H..t 40
bird TO wing, then hurried back 10
where the chicks were left and watched
for Developments. After awhile "Mrs.
Bob" would return, dropping on the
ground as light as q sDowdake, then
Strengthening up, looking all around,
growing more assured that the enemy
had been outwitted, at last give the as
suring call note, aud be happy once
more In the midst Of her children.
The quail is inscctiyerous and gra NIL
niyerous, and will also eat Wild berries (;
hence he Is not at loss for food In vari-
ETY. and quality, though In quantity he
suffers through our Northern winters.
The Southern quail has ample food ali
the year round.
Through the winter when pressed for
food these birds will come TO the farm
yards aud feed with the domestic fowls.
Numerous instances are on record Of
whole bcvics having wintered In this
manner, being encouraged TO stay by
the kind-hearted farmer and regularly
fed by him.
The feeding time Of the quail IL soon
after sunrise. They will then be found
on the margin or In the wheat stubbles,
or along fences where grass Is high. In
the South they will be found at the edge