440 THE BOB-WHITE. 
While this signal is being given the birds are running to a place where they can 
fly up suddenly and away swiftly. Following the scattering of the flock there 
is certain to be the assembly call, which is loud enough to be heard by the 
most distant bird, but might be unnoticed by an unpracticed ear. It is a low 
whoo-ee, whoo-ee, almost crooning in character. Only one bird gives this 
call. There is an undertone of conversational chatter while the birds are 
ieeding as they run, as they often do when they are suspicious of danger. These 
calls and signals are winter and late fall flock signals. During the season. espe- 
cially during the days of courting, there is a loud, but pleasing, JV hooocee- 
che, whoooeee-che whooocee-che, the first long drawn syllable with an up- 
ward inflection, the second a short, almost aspirated syllable, dropping sud- 
denly. I do not feel certain what the office of this signal is, but presume it 
is merely a mate call. The bob-white whistle is clearly a challenge, and so 
performs the same office as the crowing of Chanticleer. 
The winter life of Bob-white is not the least interesting of his yearly 
round. It is pretty clearly true that the flocks which are found then are 
single families, possibly the largest flocks are the two broods of one pair 
of birds. These flocks feed, and roost, and live together in a close com- 
panionship, sharing the dangers and the pleasures alike. Their whole life 
is based upon mutual protection; no other spirit seems to actuate them during 
this season. If they separate it is only to be drawn together again at the 
first opportunity. If one is lost he is instantly missed, and all in the power 
of the flock is done to regain the lost one. At night, and during severe 
storms, the birds find some sheltered spot as free from any danger as possible, 
and pack themselves into a close circle, tails touching in the center, heads 
outward to detect danger in any direction, each warming the other. Mr. 
Robert J. Sim, of Jefferson, Ohio, contributes the drawing of a flock which 
he fed during one winter. They came regularly for the supper provided, 
and passed the night under an evergreen tree in the yard. The picture was 
taken of the flock during a severe north-west storm of snow and wind, during 
which the birds went to roost in the middle of the afternoon, more out in the 
open than was their wont. Mr. Sims describes the method of their arrangement 
somewhat as follows: First two birds stood together, tails touching, then 
a third and a fourth crowded up, then others crowded their way into the 
charmed circle, pushing and elbowing the birds closer together, until finally 
only one remained outside. He hurried around the circle trying first one 
place and then another to no purpose. There was no more room. Not to be 
left out, he sprang upon the backs of the close-packed flock, examined each 
seam carefully, and finally began to wedge himself down between two until 
he, too, became a part of the circle. The birds now settled themselves for 
the night, their breast feathers almost blending into a perfect curve all around 
the circle. In the morning they were ready for their breakfast of oats and 
