78 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
hen, neglected by the male, who is never seen near the 
nest, is a very close sitter, and only leaves her eggs when 
danger to herself is imminent, and even then declines 
to go away to any distance, but loiters in the vicinity, 
watching every movement of her enemy and returning 
to her treasures at the first opportunity, even at times 
taking the chances of being captured rather than leave 
her charge too long uncared for. 
As soon as they have broken through the shell the 
young run about, comical little brown tufts of down, and 
follow the mother, who teaches them to feed on insects 
and worms, and it requires but little instruction before 
they become adepts and, with much seeming curiosity, 
try every object they meet with as if testing its edibility. 
Their little wings are too feeble to bear them up, and 
to escape from danger, which is indicated by the warning 
shrill note of the hen, they skillfully hide under any 
favorable object, or squat and remain motionless, and 
so well do they harmonize with the color of the ground 
or dead leaves that it is quite impossible to distinguish 
them without a diligent search. At night the mother 
gathers them under her and covers them with her wings 
in the manner of the domestic fowl, and protects them 
from the dew and rain, for a wetting is a serious matter 
to the chicks and is usually fatal. When about half 
grown they all roost on trees, in which the young are 
sure to take refuge if alarmed; but once perched on the 
branches they seem to consider themselves as quite re- 
moved from all danger, remaining motionless and gazing 
earnestly at the intruder on their haunts. This must be 
the result of an inherited instinct that teaches them to flee 
from their ground enemies, from whom they are usually 
safe when once among the branches of a tree, but why 
there should not be a similar instinct to bid them beware 
