BOB-WHITE 39 



relatives the Grouse tliey do not migrate, and in 

 severe storms often huddle together and are 

 buried, when, if a crust forms over them, they 

 are unable to get out, and die in large numbers. 



Those who know the Quail in the field are 

 familiar with his delightful call of Bob-white, a 

 loud clear whistle that locates him at a long dis- 

 tance. It is such a striking note that once, when 

 a single Quail strayed beyond his usual limits 

 in northern New York, he was fairly driven back 

 by the excited dogs of the neighborhood, for at 

 sound of his whistle they would go bounding over 

 the fields toward him, as if in answer to the call 

 of their masters. The result of this reception of 

 the stranger was a sore disappointment to the 

 observers of the locality, for Bob-white is one of 

 the most delightful birds to study. 



There are few prettier sights than a family of 

 old Quail with their young walking about fear- 

 lessly in a woodland meadow. The bird's domes- 

 tic life is particularly interesting from the part 

 the male plays in the family, helping to build the 

 nest, feeding his mate on the eggs, and, in case of 

 her death, brooding in her place. Doctor Brewer, 

 in his biographies of North American birds, 

 gives a graphic account of meeting with a male 

 engaged in the care of his brood. " They did 

 not see me until I was close upon them," he says, 

 " when the old bird, a fine old male, flew directly 

 towards me, and tumbled at my feet as if in a 



