224 Life and Immortality. 



which is immediately laid, and which is followed by one on 

 each consecutive day, until seven or eight have been 

 deposited. As many as thirty eggs are sometimes found in 

 a single nest, which is due to the polygamy of the male. 

 Two, and often three and four females, are taken by a male, 

 and two have been known to occupy simultaneously the 

 same nest. 



When a pair of birds has established itself in a locality 

 from the first, and has been successful in rearing a family of 

 young during the ensuing spring, if the females are in the 

 majority the unprovided ones still continue, as a general 

 thing, to linger with the parents after their more specially 

 favored companions have mated and moved elsewhere. This 

 is particularly noticeable in a new locality where the covey 

 consists entirely of members of a single family. In cases 

 where several families congregate in the fall, the chances are 

 greatly in favor of monogamy. Small flocks are more 

 decidedly polygamous than larger ones. We have never 

 observed the converse that is, more than one male to a 

 female but where several pairs are found in the same field, 

 at slight distances from each other, there is sometimes a 

 noticeable tendency to associate. 



The eggs of the Quail are crystal white, sometimes slightly 

 tinged with yellow, and pyriform in shape. Eighteen days 

 are required for their hatching. Where the father is not 

 fortunate enough to possess a harem, a part of the work 

 devolves upon him, while the mother seeks food and recrea- 

 tion ; but where there are several females, the work is 

 divided very amicably among them, each sitting about half 

 a day at a stretch, then calling her relief with a low note, if 

 there be only two, the male taking no part in the labor of 

 incubation whatever. Should the family be larger, two 

 females will sit side by side on the eggs, there being too 

 many in number for one breast to cover. Meanwhile the 

 husband remains close by, chirping encouragement in a low 

 tone, and betimes making the field vocal with his loud, clear 



