QUAIL SHOOTING. 183 



of the scattered covey calling its mate. Listen ! With 

 what caution he makes his love call. Together with 

 his mate he enjoys solitude, but now that he is alone 

 he is despondent. Note the mellowjiess of his cry, the 

 pleading in his loving voice. He dare not call aloud, 

 yet he wishes to be heard. Then, fearing that his pur- 

 suers may also hear, subdues his voice, as if frightened 

 at its volume. Gently he calls again, " Wah-ee-he ! 

 Wah-ee-he ! " He listens for that responsive call ex- 

 pectantly, then emboldened by the silence, desirous of 

 meeting his mate, oblivious to the danger he may en- 

 counter, he moves from his hiding-place, and boldly 

 steps forth in a slight opening and anxiously looks 

 around. He sees and hears nothing, and feels satisfied 

 his enemies have departed. He stares fiercely around, as 

 if to challenge any intruder. He hearkens, expecting 

 an answer to his call. His neck swells, his head is 

 thrown back, as loud calls issue from his throat. ' Then, 

 as if feeling perhaps that his calls have been too imper- 

 ative, subdues his voice, and with tender accents calls 

 for his lady love. Impatiently he waits for a reply. 

 His mate, gentle, confiding little one, has been within 

 hearing all the time ; she would not hurry to him, lest 

 in that haste, she might do an act inconsistent with her 

 sex. She replies not to his many calls. When in an- 

 gry disappointment he fiercely cries, she runs hastily 

 toward him, regretting her coquetry and fearing his 

 anger. Then again, when that fierce voice is tempered 

 into sweetest music to her ears, she delays her coming 

 that she may not appear tow forward. Once again he 

 raises himself to his full height, getting ready to make 

 the woods echo and re-echo with his cries, but before 

 he opens his mouth, a tiny form, dressed in gold and 



