Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1913-01-16
shephedown Jefferson County, Virginia Thursday January l6 1913

CdpdUlS Vi llpCHillS iOOiOOO o~SSSt ~ -
not difficult TO see that there is work for
someone to do if a profitable crop is to
be raised against the invasion OF these
innumerable and always hardy enemies.
Bob White is there to do large share
OF the fighting for the farmer, and it seems
to me that il is a very stupid farmer who
will permit such valuable workers, to
whom he pays no wages whatever, to
be killed or driven away. He can even
afford to feed quail in the winter when
the ground is covered with snow, partic-
ularly accompanied by sleet that forms
a crust on the snow after a big snow
storm. Quail are often buried under
drifts at such times, and except for the
weeds that stick up through the snow,
their food supply is cut off. They also
perish from inability TO get at any gravel
for their little grinding apparatus. Hard
winters are the worst enemies Of Bob
White.
know OF man who drives about his
farm during times of hardship for quail
and scatters grain and seeds for them be-
cause, he says, he owes it 10 them, and
also because he thinks he cannot afford
TO lose them. With ordinary protection
quail will increase rapidly in a farming
community.
No middle western game bird is more
sought by sportsmen than the quail, not
only because of the difficulty OF shooting
him on the wing-and OF course no SELF
respecting person would shoot him on
the ground-but because ofthevery choice
bit he makes on the table when properly
broiled or roasted with his skin on.
With many epicureS he has no rival.
In some parts OF the south the hunting
privileges pay the farmers taxes, either
local or northern SportSmen paying Tor
the exclusive right TO shoot quail. Even
then il is very doubtful il the farmers
would not be better off to keep the quail
for the good they do on the farm.
The United States Department of Ag-
riculture, through the biological survey,
has made an exhaustive study of the
Bob White, extending over many years
and covering the entire country, but most
thoroughly the eastern and middle west
ern sections. Many hundreds OF Stomachs
were examined and thousands ofindivid-
ual and collective reports have contrib
uted 10 the results announced.
DR.. Sylvester d. Judd, the expert who
had charge OF this work, summed up
the results in these few words "The
Bob White is probably the most useful
abundant species on the farm. Ii is one
OF the most nearly omniverous birds, con-
suming large quantities OF weed seeds
and destroying many OF the worst insect
pests with which the farmer has TO con-
tend. 1t does not iniure grain, fruit or
any other crop"
From the sentimental side the dear lit
tie quail appeals to every lover OF the
beautiful in nature. The number OF peo-
pie who prefer the Company OF the dain-
ty, clever little birds alive TO morsel for
the table is increasing every day. Their
attractiveness is admirably set forth by
DR.. Judd thus appreciatively: "The aeS-
thetic pleasure derived from the Bob
White has certain definite value. Much
money has been spent for merely the
the enjoyment OF the beauty and COM
panionship of birds. For the protection
OF guIs and terms along the Atlantic coast
thousands of dollars have been appropri-
ated at the instance OF bird lovers III whose
eyes these delicate creatures are the
crowning grace OF marine landscape.
To pastoral inland scenes-wood lots in
a green mist of young leaves, summer
grass fields and bushy pastures, brown
stubble and skeleton corn fields-the Bob
White adds charm, homely but no less
enjoyable.
GAS il calls in summer from the fence
posts or runs fearIesSly across the road,
the stroller can see il closely enough to
admire its trim, alert figure, and its taste
full color pattern OF black, white and
brown, set off by delicate tintings of blue.
Its mellow whistle seems proffer Of good
fellowship, investing even a solitude with
cheerful friendliness, while the plaintiye
covey call, heard in the growing darkness
as if summons a scattered flock TO its
nightly resting place, is one Of the ten
derest OF evening sounds. Many people,
appreciating these features Of its pres
ence, welcome the bird for the pleasure
OF its company, and are ready to spend
time and money TO keep it uDdisturbed
in their neighborhood. The writer has
known several men who, for this pur-
pose, incurred considerable expense in
posting land and hiring keepers to pre-
vent poaching."
Anyone who is interested may obtain
from the biological survey at Washing
ton some interesting pub bications about