THE BOB-WHITE. 437 
The cocks ruffle all their feathers, throw forward the erectile feather-tufts 
of the neck, inflate the distensible air-sacs until they look like ripe oranges; 
then rush forward across the ball-room floor with lowered heads and scraping 
wings while the air escapes in that tender penetrating sob which reverberates 
amile away. As the show proceeds the ladies get interested, yield somewhat of 
their frigid manner, and move about coyly among the strutting gallants. At 
the first few dances only pleasant mutual acquaintance is promoted, but on 
subsequent occasions, as attentions become more serious, conflicting interests 
are sure to be developed among rival cocks, and fierce and bloody battles ensue. 
To the victor belongs the choice of maidens, and that too on a generous scale. 
Of course, under such circumstances conjugal fidelity is a thing unknown, and 
it becomes a marvel that the females will pay daily visits to the scene of these 
disgraceful scrimmages. 
The female hides her nest in some grass tussock of the open prairie, or in 
a deep, feather-lined depression at the edge of a swale, and sits closely upon 
ten or a dozen eggs. When thoroughly frightened from her nest she is not 
likely to return, or if she does, and finds the eggs handled, she will break them 
up in disgust. Incubation is completed in from three to four weeks, and the 
little brood is promptly led off to forage or hide at the behest of the wary and 
devoted mother. 
The flock follows its mother until nearly full grown. As fall comes on 
several family troops are merged, and the company thus formed is joined by 
the hitherto exiled males. Under the contingency of persecution by gunners 
the flock scatters to right and left, each member rising in turn and making off 
rapidly with a vocal rattle which adds to the excitement of whirring wings. 
The bird is capable of sustained flights of several miles, much of which is 
accomplished by stiff downward sails of long duration. In the prairie states 
west of the Mississippi the females and young-of-the-year retire several degrees 
south in winter, but the hardier males usually endure the rigors of the season 
in the North. 
No. 196. 
BOB-WHITE. 
A. O. U. No. 289. Colinus virginianus (Linn.). 
Synonym.—Quanu.. 
Description Adult male: Above general color vinaceous-rufous, chang- 
ing to cinnamon-rufous on wings and on sides, clearest on upper back and sides 
of breast, heavily black-spotted or barred on lower back, scapulars, and inner 
quills, heavily margined with buff on inner edges of inner scapulars and 
quills, changing to black on forehead, everywhere mottled finely with black, white, 
or whitish, and bluish gray; tertials in closed wing completely covering the fus- 
cous primaries and secondaries; a broad, white superciliary stripe, almost meet- 
