176 BOB WHITE'S WOOING. 



are undertaken, a very large number of birds participate, travelling on 

 foot, and passing steadily through districts where food is abundant, as 

 though they had a definite destination in their minds. This has been ob- 

 served even along the Chesapeake Bay. They are so loath to use their 

 wings, that large numbers are said to perish in attempting to cross wide 

 rivers and inlets. Such impulsive marches remind one of the erratic 

 migrations of squirrels and some other animals, which take place in an 

 unlooked for time and manner; nevertheless, it must be admitted, I think, 

 that a partial and limited migration takes place annually from the more 

 northern to warmer latitudes, which is influenced in its extent by the 

 comparative severity of the seasons ; and, furthermore, that the quail is 

 more distinctly migratory west than east of the Delaware River. 



About the middle of March the winter flocks break up, and the mat- 

 ing begins ; but if the weather is late in becoming settled, the wooing is 

 deferred. Although not indulging in the noisy antics with which the 

 grouse calls attention to its personal attractiveness, Bob White becomes 

 suddenly conscious of his comely appearance and good voice. Having 

 no false pride, he invites the opposite sex to look at him as an eligible 

 partner, and proudly walks about, head erect, that they may view him 

 at his best. He seems to understand that the law holds its cegis over 

 him now, and from the orchard gate calls a saucy good-morning to the 

 farmer starting to market. He knows that he is attending adequately to 

 his department in the great business of nature, and is by no means fearless 

 of being seen. But he keeps an eye to hawks, cats, and other predatory 

 enemies that respect neither time, place, nor season. He is polygamous, 

 willing to take any amount of family responsibility, and will help to rear 

 two, or occasionally even three broods every year. A successful pair of 

 quails often turn out twenty-five young in a season, and it is not uncom- 

 mon to find a covey of these little " cheepers," hardly able to fly, even 

 as late as November. 



Although paired so early, the quails do not at once proceed to the 

 business of nidification, aud will often be flushed in company when you 

 are snipe-shooting in April. About the middle of May (in the central 

 parts of their range) is the time when the nest is built. The situation 

 chosen is the leeward side of some dense tussock of grass, or mouldering 

 stump in a wild, matted meadow, at the bushy margin of a clover-field or 

 orchard, or in an old pasture overgrown with bramble thickets ; and the 

 female, as is her undoubted right, takes the lead in fixing upon the site. 

 The more civilized the locality, the denser the cover sought. The nest is 

 an inartificial bed of grasses and vegetable trash, filling a shallow depres- 



