New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-10-27
THE QUAIL SEASON OPENS on FRIDAY

SOME POINTS ABOUT THE HABITS OF THE BIRD
AND WHERE TO GO TO FIND 1T.
The shooting for quail in New-York State
opens on November !. and from then until January
the hunting grounds Will echo TO the incessant
crack Of the sportsmen's guns. Most Of the quail
found in restaurants come from the West. as the
ground near New-York has been thoroughly shot
that the birds scarce. Taking chicago
a centre a circle described with diameter OK
800 miles will include the districts which are most
plentfuly stocked with quail.
The heavy SHOWS OF last winter killed great num-
bers OF all feathered game. but quail suffered most.
They are among the most difficult birds in this
country to shoot. Where plentiful, in the West.
the birds may be flushed by the gunner himself.
but In the East dog is necessary. They have a
habit OF lying close to the ground almost until
trodden upon before taking wing After the hunter
has passed a covey the birds will jump up and
whirr away behind his back. To shoot quail un-
der these circumstances takes good shot, as the
bird in flying from the marksman presents the
smallest possible target Of vital spots The n-ght
Srd r ea qua Is OF s1G gs aner u beadway
quicker than any other game bird. ,
Though difficult TO shoot with certainty. the quail
is even more difficult to ma. good dog ~ re-
CURED find them. and after covey has been
from the hunter the task OF discovering them 3
often too much for the best dog. They have the
ferrous way. and they lie close against the
ground concealed by stubble, the chance Of finding
quail gener lily feed on high ground, about 10 or
II o'clock in the morning and then descend 10
lower ground the margins OF streams to drink.
Stubble fields favorte haunts OF the birds
which likely be found along the sides
than in the middle OF the field. They roost at night
in the centre OF a field meadow. all arranged in
a circle, with the heads outward Quail can be
shot and followed up best when scattered over their
feeding grounds. success in a great measure de-
pending upon the accuracy with which the alght-
ing point OF the covey is marked down. When
dense woods or thick covert is near at hand, the
bag OF quail is not likely TO be large upon
open ground. for the birds when disturbed fly d..
rectly toward the nearest thicket wherever shell
be obtained
II Is advisable both in the interests OF humanity
and the gamebag 10 carefully watch the flight OF
birds which have been shot at A quail will carry
an immense amount OF shot and fly for hundreds OF
yards before falling TO the ground The vitality and
pugnacity OF quail remarkable. Often q bird has
been seen 10 fly hundred yards or more and then
lie struggling the ground after receiving five or
six shot through the neck and breast.
Quail prolific and have two broods a year.
This Is the only thing which has saved them from
being externlinated long ago, at least in this
try. Netting sharing the birds is prohibited
der severe penalties. and with close OF
months the quail has q better chance OF multiplying
than before. Jersey quail are usually considered
be the best and finest favored birds. but they are
rarely sold In open market, owing 10 their scarcity
Some points on Long Island furnish fair shooting
back OF oyster Bay and Moriches being the places
nearest 10 New-York The northeastern counties OF
Pennsylvania also give good shooting, while around
Monroe, y. Y, excellent sport can be obtained.