quail I was watching. It was one of the covey 

 that I had heard call from the woods. 



Again and again the signal was sent forth 

 until a third, fourth, and finally a fifth were 

 grouped about the leader. There was just an 

 audible twitter of welcome and gratitude ex- 

 changed as each new-comer made his appearance. 

 Once more the whistle sounded ; but this time 

 there was no response across the silent field. 



The quails made their way to a thick cedar 

 that spread out over the ground, and, huddling 

 together in a close bunch under this, they mur- 

 mured something soft and low among themselves 

 and dreamed. 



Some of the family were evidently missing, 

 and I crept away, sorry that even one had been 

 taken from the little brood. 



" And dreamed." 



tie] 



