EASTERN BOB WHITE 11 



rye, wheat, oats, or other grains have been harvested. But near at 

 hand they must have suitable cover, thick, swampy tangles or brier 

 patches in which to roost at night, or dense thickets or woodlots in 

 which to seek refuge when pursued. In the South, according to 

 M. P. Skinner, they " like weedy corners of cornfields nest to a 

 tangle of blackberry briars, cane, cat briars, and brush, into which 

 they can retreat at a moment's notice. They also like cotton fields, 

 especially if a corner be grown up to broom sedge and low brush." 

 The cultivated fields of the South are usually well overgrown with 

 weeds in the fall, where the partridges find both food and shelter in 

 the old fields of cowpeas, ground nuts, and other crops, overgrown 

 with crabgrass, foxtail grass, Japan clover, plume, and wild grasses. 



Courtship. — It is not until spring is well advanced that the coveys, 

 which have kept together all winter, begin to break up and scatter. 

 Then it is that the young cock, which has now acquired full maturity 

 and vigor, begins to feel the urge of love and, separating from his 

 companions, sets about the important business of securing a mate. 

 Dressed in his best springtime attire, his bosom swelling with pride, 

 he selects his perch, a fence post, the low branch of a tree, or some 

 convenient stump, from which to send out his love call to his expected 

 bride. Bob-white/ Ah, bob-white bob-bob-white/ It rings out, loud 

 and clear, repeated at frequent intervals, while he listens for a re- 

 sponse, perhaps for half an hour or more in vain. At length he may 

 hear the coveted sound, the sweet, soft call of the demure little hen. 

 With crest erected and eyes aglow, he flies to meet her and display 

 his charms, fluttering and strutting about her and coaxing her with 

 all the pomp and pride of a turkey gobbler. But she is shy and coy, 

 and does not yield at first. Perhaps she runs away, and then ensues 

 a lively game of chase. Aretas A. Saunders tells in his notes of such 

 a chase that he saw under favorable circumstances. The hen kept 

 about 5 feet ahead of the cock, running rapidly, faster than he had 

 seen this species move at any other time, back and forth, in and out, 

 around some clumps of grass. Though he watched for 15 minutes, 

 the cock did not seem to gain an inch. Doubtless he did eventually. 



But bobwhite's road to happiness is not always so smooth. As 

 his clarion call of defiance rings out across the fields an answering 

 call, bob-bob-v:hite, reaches his jealous ears, the voice of an unknown 

 rival. Back and forth the challenges are exchanged, as the brave 

 little warrior advances to meet his foe. Louder, sharper, and angrier 

 are their cries, as they dodge about, bursting with rage and eager 

 for the fray, seeking a vantage point for the attack. At last they 

 clinch in furious combat, like small game cocks, savagely biting and 

 tearing with sharp little beaks, scratching with claws, and buffeting 

 with strong little wings. The fighting is fast and furious for a time 

 until one gives up exhausted and slinks away. Finally the brave 



