THE BOB-WHITE. 



441 



corn, and then went foraging in the fields for waste grain and weed and 

 grass seeds. 



The warm days of early April stir Mr. Bob to send forth his ringing 

 challenge over field and meadow, for he has chosen his preserve and will 

 defend it against all comers. He is not worrying, just now, about his wife. 

 His duty is first to provide the home preserve. Battles for this preserve 

 and for possession of the female often occur, in regions where the birds are 

 numerous, but the bird in possession usually wins, because he has the better 

 conscience. 



The nest is made on the ground among the grass and weeds, the dead 

 grass often being used to form an arch over the nest. First nests are pretty 

 sure to be arched over and almost completely covered, leaving an opening 

 in the side for the birds ^^rtpfSHSSBSBB^^^ *; *° enter. The eggs are 

 arranged small ^rfSif^^^'^^^^^^^^fefc^^ ends in, and if the 



numerous, there 



eggs 



Taken near l^iffin 



Fhoto by 

 Rev. W. F, Hjuninger. 



NEST AND EGGS OF THE BOB-WHITE. 



are two, and sometimes three tiers piled up like cannon balls. I found one 

 ne.st containing twenty-six eggs arranged in this manner. 



The methods to which the old birds will resort to protect the young 



