ORTYX VIRGINIANA : THE QUAIL, OR BOB-WHITE. 1 59 



them naturally begin at that season of the year when 

 they relinquish the habits of extreme cunning and vigi- 

 lance for that of confidence in man's respect tor domes- 

 tic life, that is in 

 the early part of 

 summer. Though 

 among the har- 

 diest and most 

 active of feath- 

 ered creatures, 

 they are prudent ■ 

 in spring, and do 

 not commit them- 

 selves to the 

 risks of incuba- 

 tion until they 

 have received full 

 assurance of fit- 

 ting weather. In 

 this respect they 

 differ from the 

 peculiar but more 

 venturesome 

 Woodcoclf, whose 

 premature endea- 

 vors, founded up- 

 on the first de- 

 ceptive smile of 

 spring, to raise a 

 family, are often defeated by an unexpected snow-storm. 

 The Quail do not begin until May, when they announce 

 the fact to all their neighbors within half a mile by their 

 loud, frank and cheery whistle, which is generally trans- 



FiG. 35. — Cock and Hen Quail. Natural size. 



