THE “QUAIL” 61 
more may be found in a nest, in which case they 
are arranged in tiers with the small ends inward 
and downward. Usually the larger settings 
are the result of ‘‘co-operative housekeeping’’ 
when two females use the same nest. Good 
husband that he is, the male bird does his 
share of the duties of incubation as well as 
keeping watch while the female sits. He also 
aids in the care of the young when they have 
made their appearance, covering them with 
wings and body in the same fashion as does 
the female, and in case of danger to the brood 
boldly confronts the enemy while the mother 
bird conducts the retreat. If the female is 
alone at such times she acts much as does the 
ruffed grouse in a like crisis, feigning to be 
crippled and keeping just out of the reach of 
her pursuer she leads him a long chase, sud- 
denly recovering and dashing away if the pur- 
suit is too close. The brood meantime scatters 
in a dozen different directions, gathering again 
when the old bird sounds the ‘‘assembly.’’ 
After the young birds have gained more 
strength all this is easily avoided by their tak- 
ing to wing—each one heading for the nearest 
growth and seeking concealment in the brush. 
