BOB-WHITE. 
27 
open, it is sometimes partially covered by art and accident ; 
but no studious concealment is ever practised by this artless 
bird. The eggs are from 15 to 20; and unlike the spotted 
charge of the true Quail, are white, and rather suddenly nar- 
rowed at the smaller end. The period of incubation is about 
four weeks. They have generally two broods in a season, as 
young birds scarcely fledged may be observed here as late as 
the beginning of October. When this happens, it is not 
Uncommon to find both coveys still associating with their par- 
ents. most other Gallinaceous birds, the young run about 
Us soon as they are freed from the shell, and gain the complete 
Use of their wings in about a fortnight from hatching. They 
ure now attentively conducted by the mother, and occasionally 
y either parent, in quest of their appropriate food, and called 
together in a voice resembling the low twittering of chickens. 
At times they shelter beneath the wings of the mother ; but if 
the little busy flock are startled by danger, artifice rather than 
courage is the instinctive means of safety employed by all 
the party. The parents flutter in the path in real as well as 
Simulated distress ; and the young, instantly aware of their criti- 
cal situation, make no useless attempts to fly, but vanish singly, 
and closely hiding among the withered grass, which they almost 
resemble in color, are thus fortunately rendered nearly alto- 
gether invisible. The alarm at length dissipated, the tender, 
cautious call of the parents again reassembles the little grateful 
tamily. 
he eggs of the Quail have been often hatched by the 
mestic hen ; but the vagrant disposition of tlie diminutive 
ccl, the difficulty of procuring their proper food, and the 
superior attention they require over chickens, prevent the possi- 
the ^ '^^cir domestication ; and even when they have survived 
"'inter in this state, the return of spring leads them to 
ander off in compliance with that powerful instinct whicli 
uspires them to a mutual separation. 
sc^h ure these little birds that occasionally, as de- 
the ^^^ilson, they have been known to lay their eggs in 
uest of the domestic hen, when situated at any considerable 
