Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-10-01

is crafty in pointing out the locations of
the covies and in waiting patiently for the
order to flush them. Dogs often spoil the
hunt in their eagerness to start the game
or In dashing after those shot when the
hunter is picking off the covey that has
been started. good dog is even better
than good gun.
Beautiful Bob White, It Is a shame to
shoot him! For aside from the splendid
marking of his plumage, from his musical
note, which makes the summer CHEEKY, the
partridge is a most useful bird, consuming
many harmful insects and in the fall and
winter literally living upon the seeds of
noxious weeds and grasses. The partridge
may be little destructive in the grain
fields in late summer in the corn fields in
autumn and in the buckwheat fields, but
all his damage there is nothing to the good
he does in eating the seed of the rag weed,
pigeon grass and other harmful growths. a
partridge killed after the morning feeding
this month will have a full gill of the seeds
of the rag weed and pigeon grass in his
crop. If his use to the farmer were better
understood the killing of quails would be
summarily stopped by the most stringent
legislation in all the states. The only APP
parent reason why the hunter is allowed to
carry on his sport is because the agricul
tural community does not study natural
history to any practical purpose.
u
Bob White, with his little brown mate
and their numerous progeny, are among
the most interesting of the native birds,
and experienced hunters say their beauty
appeals to them as does that of no other
feathered victim of the hunt. The par
fridge at all times commands the hunts
mans respect. alike for his crafty ways OF
concealment. for his energetic flight and the
difficulty always attending the shot at him.
Indeed, it is hard to account for the
slaughter of these beautiful birds. except
in that passion for the chase which has
hoo 1aft IN nj izlt infN1 a
the barbarous ages.
But without inquiring for the reasons,
Bob White has been singled out as the
chief game bird of America. He does not
fee before the advance of civilization, like
the prairie chicken, the snipe, woodcock
and the grouse. but lives, multiplies and Is
happy amid the cultivated fields, roaming
the stubble after harvest frequenting the
corn and buckwheat fields, and preening
beside the stream I'm the meadows during
his siesta. Though Bob White cannot be
domesticated, he takes kindly to the Or
derby ways of thckly settled communities
and sometimes builds his nest near the
farm house or barn, and has been known
to rear the brood within the limits OF moor
porated towns cities.
In the month of May Bob White and his
mate build their nest of dried leaves ana
soft grasses. This is just after the mating
season when Bob White takes upon himself
marital vows for a year. for the mail par.
fridge is not only a homogeneous BIRD, out
a faithful and devoted spouse. In the nest
the hen bird lays from twelve to twenty
white eggs During the nesting season Is
when the cock bird mounts the fence or
stump near the nest and whistles BOD
White sharp and clear. Whether this is
love note or one of defiance TO other COCK
birds is q moot question among students Oh
nature 1t Is certain that If another COCK
bird ventures near there Ia feathered
scrap that ends disastrously for the IN
truder but there Is a sweetness and some
times a plaintiveness in the note of BOD
White which to the sentimental. at least, Is
indicative Of something more than war
The two birds share the duties OF incupa-
ton the mail bird taking his turn IN set
ting upon the nest. In about three weeks
the Matching takes place, and even WITH
bits of the shells sticking to their packs
the chicks follow their mother into the
meadows in search of food She leads them
to the choicest grass seeds, which they ear
rayeuously and grow fast. Very soon the
little birds may be seen running and mop
ping their wings to gain strength and power
of flight In two months from the time OF
Matching the young are able TO ny as Wen
However, the family does not separate un-
til the mating season of the folioWihs
spring In some cases TWO Droods are
reared by the same birds IN season. rms
Is SO IL the first nest Is disturbed and a
portion of the young killed. This accounts
for the fact that the hunter sometimes
finds a covey with large chicks and very
small ones flying together.
Probably Bob White will remain game
bird long after Snipe and woodcock, the
grouse and wild pigeon has entirely dis
appeared from the country. His powers OF
propagation will keep the species alive ana
thriving. But there Is no doubt the legisia-
ton should be enacted to stop the wanton
destruction of this most useful OF birds.
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