:JiM LIFE-HISTORIES OF P>IRDS 



that there would exist among" so munv. a great deal of in- 

 harmonious action, as well as a shifting of responsibility 

 upon at least one or two members of the household, or an 

 inclination upon the part of one to wait for the other, such 

 as is frequently to be observed in human families, especially 

 where there is no division of labor. But such is by no 

 ;neans the case. A perfect understanding exists among 

 't^ members, and the greatest harmony prevails. One 

 female will take the nest and continue on it for nearlv 

 ! ialf a dav. when, by a low simple call, she will summon an- 

 other, who is in readiness outside to obey with alacrity. As 

 soon as the latter has entered, she resigns the charge to her 

 care, and instantly retires to join her associates. Where 

 the nest is unusually capacious and the number of eggs 

 immense, it is not an uncommon occurrence to find two 

 females engaged in the incubating process, simultaneously. 

 Where the male is not so fortunate as to be possessed of a 

 harem, a no inconsiderable portion of the incubating labor 

 devolves upon him. To be sure the female has to bear 

 the brunt of the labor, but then he is a truly devoted hus- 

 band. When not engaged in fetching her food, he is in 

 close proximity to the nest, to cheer her by an occasional 

 Bob-white, and to admonish her on the approach of an 

 enemy. 



The possession of several females by a single male, al- 

 though it doubtless had its origin as aforesaid, is certainly 

 advantageous to the male-bird, in that it exempts him from 

 a duty which is certainly not at all congenial, but which is 

 forced upon him by the necessities of the case. Besides 

 being of personal benefit to him, it is obviously beneficial 

 'n a larger and fuller sense. It serves to increase the flock 

 uimericallv. and to replenish its ranks which have been 

 decimated by the fowling-piece. Again, the existence of 

 SO many unpaired females, would certainly be detrimental to 

 the peace of the wedded pairs ; for in their daily rambles 

 'n quest of partners, their conspicuous movements would 



