CHAPTER XXVII 

 THREE FAMOUS GAME BIRDS 



''If any one should ask you which are the most fa- 

 mous American game birds, you may answer without 

 hesitation, ' Bob White, Ruffed Grouse, and Woodcock ' 

 — the whistler, the drummer, and the sky dancer — 

 all three good Citizens and handsome, interesting birds. 



" Bob White is the most familiar, because in spring, 

 when he feels quite sure that the law will protect his 

 pretty head, he comes out of the thick bushes to the 

 rail fence by the roadside and calls his own name — 

 'Bob — white, bob — Avhite! ' — so that the shy mate 

 he desires shall know where to find him. Then if she 

 is hard-hearted and a long time coming he will say — 

 ' Bob-white, poor bob-white! ' as if craving for pity. 



" The last of May the nesting begins, and from then 

 until autumn Bob White tells his name and whereabouts 

 to no one; for it is a very busy season with him. The 

 nest of leaves on the ground may yield during the sum- 

 mer twenty or thirty little Bobs, whom he must help 

 supply with food and teach to walk about and care for 

 themselves. 



" In autumn each one of these Quail families — for 

 Mr. Bob White is a kind of Quail — is called a 'covey.' 

 They take to thick brush for winter food and shelter, 



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