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 

 ivhoo-ec, whoo-ee, almost crooning in character. Only one bird gives this 

 call. There is an undertone of conversational chatter while the birds are 

 feeding 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, Whoooeee- 

 che, ivhoooeee-che ivhooocee-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 T 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 



