124 lewis' AMERICAN SPORTSMAN. 



or briery patches of the open fields (Doctor Sargent informs us 

 that such is most generally the case about his neighborhood) as 

 well as within the edge of the cane-brakes. Audubon states 

 "that the eggs, which are of a dull cream color, sprinkled with 

 red dots, sometimes amount to twenty, although the more usual 

 number is from ten to fifteen." 



The Hen is very cautious when approaching her nest, so much 

 so, that she seldom goes to it more than once by the same route, 

 and when she leaves it for the purpose of feeding or seeking the 

 company of her mate, she carefully conceals the eggs from ob- 

 servation, by covering them over with leaves. 



The Turkey-Cock does not assist in the duties of incubation, 

 but, on the other hand, is ever eager to discover the nest and 

 destroy the eggs, so that he may insure for himself the further 

 company of the Hen. This latter circumstance, therefore, is 

 one of the strongest incentives which urges the anxious mother 

 to conceal the locality of the nest from her jealous and treacher- 

 ous mate. Several Hens, we are informed, occasionally deposit 

 their eggs in the same nest in beautiful harmony, and being 

 thus intimately associated, pursue their maternal duties in per- 

 fect congeniality and increased security from the attacks of wild 

 animals, birds of prey, or lurking serpents. Audubon mentions 

 having discovered three sitting on forty-two eggs. 



When on the nest, the Hen is noiseless as death itself, but 

 watchful as her keen vision and acute hearing can possibly 

 make her; and with equal sagacity, though trembling with terror 

 for the safety of herself and eggs, will permit the unconscious 

 intruder to pass within a few paces of her, without moving from 

 her seat. 



When the full period of incubation is drawing to a close, the 

 Hen will not leave the nest under any contingency ; she will 

 rather sacrifice her own life, than abandon the offspring just 

 about bursting into existence. Indeed, so resolute is she in her 

 nearly accomplished purpose that, Audubon states, she will 

 even allow an inclosure to be built around her, rather than for- 

 sake them at this critical juncture. 



How marvellous ! how powerful ! how impressive the instinct 

 that thus sways the actions of an otherwise timid, cautious, and 

 wary Bird, that under ordinary circumstances takes alarm at 



