118 THE QUAIL. 



of grass that shelters and conceals it. The materials are 

 leaves and fine dry grass, in considerable quantity. It is 

 well covered above, and an opening left on one side for 

 entrance. The female lays from fifteen to twenty-four 

 eggs, of a pure white without any spots ; and during the 

 period of incubation are remarkably tenacious of their 

 nest, for rather than forsake it, they will frequently sacri- 

 fice their lives, and it is by no means an uncommon occur- 

 rence for them to fall victims to the scythe. The time of 

 incubation has been stated to me by various persons at four 

 weeks, when the eggs were placed under the domestic hen. 

 The young leave the nest as soon as they are freed from 

 the shell, and are conducted about in search of food by the 

 female ; are guided by her voice, which at that time re- 

 sembles the twittering of young chickens, and sheltered by 

 her wings, in the same manner as those of the domestic 

 fowl ; but with all that secrecy and precaution for their 

 safety, which their helplessness and greater danger re- 

 quire. In this situation, should the little timid family be 

 unexpectedly surprised, the utmost alarm and consterna- 

 tion instantly prevail. Sometimes, when an enemy ap- 

 proaches, (especially the sportsman's dog,) the mother will 

 instantly squat herself, and collect her little brood under 

 her wings for protection, and at this time she will remain 

 so perfectly tranquil as to permit the hand almost to grasp 

 her, before she will attempt to escape ; she will then throw 

 herself in the path, fluttering along, and beating the ground 

 with her wings, as if sorely wounded, using every artifice 

 she is master of, to entice the passenger in pursuit of her- 

 self, uttering at the same time certain peculiar notes of 

 alarm, well understood by the young, who dive separately 

 amongst the grass, and secrete themselves till the clanger 

 is over ; and the parent, having decoyed the pursuer to a 

 safe distance, returns, by a circuitous route, to collect and 

 lead them off. This well-known manoeuvre, which nine 

 times in ten is successful, is honorable to the feelings and 





