A BOBWHITE FAMILY 



151 



flew by, fleeing for his life. High above the tree tops the 

 Arredondo sparrow hawk and his mate circled, calling 

 through the sky, ready to strike upon the wing any of the 

 insects which were endeavoring to escape from the con- 

 suming furnace beneath. AVith low notes of uneasiness the 

 bobwhites turned and ran, but the flames gaining upon 

 them they took wing and sped away toward the fields to the 



east. But alas, their only course of escape was cut off. To 

 save his fences, the farmer had set a back fire, which now 

 with savage roar came leaping to meet the wild fire from 

 the forest. The helpless birds dropped to earth, for they 

 had never learned to soar high enough to pass this en- 

 circling volcano of fire and smoke. 



