THE QUAIL 



when flung as a challenge to a rival from stumps and fences! 

 How it comes sweeping in certain, steady tones on the breast of 

 the river! What would summer be to lovers of field and stream 

 without it! How little children everywhere love and try to 

 imitate it! Sip nectar of fruit and honey of flower that you 

 may trill even sweeter, O ye favorites of protecting fortune, 

 or soon this plucky little gamester of the fields will win enough 

 hearts with his cheery whistle to place himself among you ! 



GENE STRATTON-PORTER. 

 Limberlost Cabin, March 17, 1906. 



Proof that Mother Quail cuts the shells of her eggs in halves and releases all 



of her young at one time 



257 



