IDYLLS OF BIRD LIFE 
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beautiful pure white eggs; the largest number of eggs of a Bob 
White I have ever found. The greatest number I had discov¬ 
ered up to this time was a nest of fifteen, found several years 
before. Carefully noting the place and position of the nest, so 
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as to be able to easily find it again, I left the vicinity. As I pro- 
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ceeded through the field I noted the return of the hen bird, as 
she flew through the woods adjoining the field. 
I again visited Mrs. Bob White several days later and 
found her sitting on her eggs, seemingly not aware that her a^hv^^^ 
enemy, man, was studying her from a vantage point behind^ 
some blackberry bushes on the other side of the fence. A$ I 
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was watching her, the cock Bob White flew to the top rail, about 
thirty feet away and uttered the rally call, “coi hee!” so delight- 
ful to the hunter’s ears. The hen bird moved nervously and 
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shifting her plump little body, answered him with one single c ' 
note, a clear whistle; probably used by the female in answering 
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her mate, but the only time I have ever heard it. I do hot think 
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this note is characteristic of the hen bird. An indiscreet move- 
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ment on my part, sent the mother bird, as well as her mate, off 
like a pair of rockets. Satisfied with my observations for the 
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day I left the field to the Bob White and his family-to-be. 
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