1 82 LIVING CREATURES. 



Bob White's habits are similar to those of his near 

 kj n the prairie-hen, the ruffed grouse, the California 

 helmet quail, and several other scratching birds. The 

 nest is made on the ground, usually in a tuft of grass 

 under a bush. From twelve to twenty white eggs are 

 there deposited, and when the brood is hatched they 

 are far more lively than chickens. I have often come 

 upon the little hen-quail with her chicks. She is then 

 a most skillful actor. She flutters before my feet, pre- 

 tends to be lame, and to have a broken wing. 



The growing brood becomes a flying flock or " cov- 

 ey." The covey keeps very closely to the ground. 

 They run swiftly. They roost on the ground. On 

 trees or bushes they would be too much at the mercy 

 of hungry owls. When preparing for the night, they 

 huddle together in a close circle with their tails at the 

 center and their heads at the circumference, so that, 

 when surprised, they may fly in all directions. 



43. THE CAMEL-BIRD. 



THE true camel-bird is the ostrich of the African 

 plains. Its kindred are the South American ostrich, 

 or rhea, and the emu of Australia. The African os- 

 trich has two toes, and the others have three toes on 

 each foot. The feathers of none are so fine as those 

 of the camel-bird. When full-grown, this bird stands 

 about seven feet high, and weighs from a hundred to a 

 hundred and fifty pounds. Its wings are too short for 



