220 
NESTS AND EGGS OF 
parade themselves with great pomp in front of the females, who regard 
such movements, for the nonce, with listlessness or disfavor. All the while 
the males are thus engaged, they give expression to their feelings in a 
succession of peculiar puffs. Considerable excitement often attends these 
love-affairs. Especially is this the case when some hitherto listless female 
becomes impressed with the pleadings of a particular male. This is the 
signal for the fiercest encounters, which usually result in some one or more 
of the participants being killed. When one rival has thus destroyed 
another, the surviving party, as if feeling remorse, caresses the fallen one 
with the tenderest affection. 
Having mated, the union thus formed usually lasts during the season, 
although instances are recorded where the same male has been known to 
possess more than one p>artner. The female is endued with finer feelings 
than her lord and, when concerned with domestic relations, continues to 
keep her treasures hid, well knowing the propensity which he manifests 
for destroying the same. Consequently, the selection and building of a 
nest fall exclusive to her lot. At the close of the love-season, the males 
cease to gobble, and being considerably emaciated, desert the females, and 
go off by themselves. When they have recuperated their energies, they 
return, and reunite in small flocks. 
About the middle of April the females ^^I’epare their nests in secluded 
localities. These are j^l^iced upon the ground, and consist of a few dry 
leaves placed in a depression by the side of a prostrate log, under a mass 
of hrushwmod in a thicket, within the precincts of a corn-brake, or in such 
places as afford the necessary shelter. Dry spots are always selected. 
Suited with locality, the female deposits her eggs daily until the entire 
complement is raised, when she enters the nest, and for nearly four weeks 
is a close sitter. When she leaves it for food, she always takes the pre- 
caution to cover her eggs with leaves, to guard against detection. Small 
islands are frequently chosen for nesting purposes. The large masses of 
driftwood which accumulate about their heads, are said to give them 
security from their numerous enemies. 
