140 Birds of Colorado 



derives its name from its call-note. This is usually 

 uttered by the male when perched on a rail-fence or a 

 low limb of a tree. 



The coveys very often roost in the open on the ground 

 in a soHd circle Avdth heads out and tails in, and like all 

 Gallinaceous birds dust themselves in little pits to get 

 rid of vermin. The food consists of about 80 per 

 cent, of vegetable matter, 15 per cent, of animal 

 matter ; the latter, chiefly eaten in the summer and fed 

 to the young birds, consists mostly of beetles and grass- 

 hoppers ; the former of seeds and weeds. They are there- 

 fore most valuable birds to the farmer, and should be 

 encouraged and protected in every way. They are 

 also a very valuable sporting bird, lying well to a dog 

 and rising when flushed with dash and vigour, besides 

 being exceedingly well- flavoured and wholesome for 

 eating purposes. 



The nest is placed on the gromid ; it is a simple affair 

 consisting of a saucer-shaped excavation, sheltered by 

 a patch of weeds or grass, and lined with a little grass 

 or small twigs. The number of eggs is large, usually 

 12 to 15, and as many as forty-two eggs have been found 

 in one nest, though these are probably the production 

 of several hens. They are pyriform and pointed in shape, 

 and white in colour, and average 1*25 x 1"0. 



Dille gives June 5th as the average date for a clutch 

 of fresh eggs, while Gale states May 20th to June 10 

 is the usual time. A clutch of fifteen eggs taken by 

 I. C. Hall near Greeley, and presented to the Colorado 

 Museum, were obtained as late as July 24th, and are 

 described as being unincubated. But the Bob-white 

 varies very much in this respect, and eggs have been 

 taken in every month in the year, except December, 

 in various parts of the United States. 



