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 



