FLORIDA BOBWHITE 33 



society of human beings, where they probably feel more secure from 

 their wild enemies and perhaps find more food. Major Bendire 

 (1892) quotes Doctor Ralph, as saying that " localities they like best 

 are open woods grown up with saw palmettos or low bushes, or 

 fields with woods near them, and they are particularly fond of 

 slovenly cultivated grounds that have bushes and weeds growing 

 thickly along their borders." I have frequently seen them in small 

 villages, in gardens, and about houses ; but I have more often found 

 them in the open flat pine woods where there are extensive patches 

 of saw palmettos; these thick clumps of low palmettos are often 

 almost impenetrable and afford them excellent protection from 

 their enemies. 



Nesting. — Donald J. Nicholson has sent me the following notes on 

 this subject: 



These quail begin to pair off by February- and by March most of them 

 have chosen their mates, but still some will be found in coveys into March. 

 In March the bobwhites begin to think of domestic duties, and the woods 

 and cultivated fields resound with their cheery bob-bob-ichite. This continues 

 until late June, when the calls become very much less frequent. A few pairs 

 breed as early as March or early April, but the height of the nesting season 

 is late May or early June. They also nest up into August, and one nest was 

 found in December by a hunter, which is quite unusual. From 9 to 16 

 eggs are laid, which are deposited in arched nests of dead grass, in old 

 fields, in pine woods, or on the edges of grassy ponds. The female does not 

 commence to sit until the last egg is deposited. How long it takes to incu- 

 bate is unknown to me. The birds are quite suspicious if a nest is found and 

 will generally leave it, but if not touched sometimes continue their duties. 

 When a nest is found the bird sits until almost trodden upon, then either 

 flies directly off with great speed, or more often flits off and cackles excitedly, 

 running about close by and feigning lameness. 



Eggs. — The number of eggs laid averages less, but the eggs are 

 quite indistinguishable from those of the northern bird. They are 

 not even appreciably smaller. The measurements of 51 eggs aver- 

 age 30.6 by 23.8 millimeters; the eggs showing the four extremes 

 measure 32.6 by 24.1, 31.5 by 24.5, and 28.9 by 22.8 millimeters. 



Young. — Mr. Nicholson says in his notes: 



Both parents attend the young and are very courageous in the defense of 

 the little fellows, running about close to the intruder, jumping up to attract 

 attention, and uttering strange notes. When the hiding spot of the young is 

 discovered they scurry for other shelter, cheeping as they run, and if pressed 

 too closely will take flight, when very young. I once saw a bobwhite make 

 a mad rush at the wheels of a passing auto, and after the machine passed the 

 mate also came out. Undoubtedly there were young near by. 



Behavior. — In general behavior and habits the Florida bird does 

 not differ materially from its northern relative. Its food does not 

 seem to have been separately studied and is included in reports on 

 the species as a whole. It feeds on such of the seeds, fruits, and 



