. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. BOB-WHITES AND QUAILS '1"1k' y<)un,t( arc lialclu'd aflcr alxuU iwciUy- four days of incubation. They all pop out of the shell at about the same time and are ready to leave the nest as soon as their natal down is dry. A farmer in mowing one day overran a nest as the young were hatching. He was astonished to see the little ones, just from the siicll. run away and hide in the grass. Thus nature pro- vides for their safety. When surprised by a sudden intruder the mother tries to lead him away by many wiles, while the tiny chicks squat close to
. Birds of America;. Birds -- North America. BOB-WHITES AND QUAILS '1"1k' y<)un,t( arc lialclu'd aflcr alxuU iwciUy- four days of incubation. They all pop out of the shell at about the same time and are ready to leave the nest as soon as their natal down is dry. A farmer in mowing one day overran a nest as the young were hatching. He was astonished to see the little ones, just from the siicll. run away and hide in the grass. Thus nature pro- vides for their safety. When surprised by a sudden intruder the mother tries to lead him away by many wiles, while the tiny chicks squat close to the ground and remain invisible until danger has passed. As the young grow they keep together, never going back to the nest but wandering about in the vicinity. They frequent weedy gardens, potato fields, grain and stubble fields, bushy pastures and stump lots as well as the edges of woods. The ordinary, more or less neglected farm is a paradise for them. The birds of a bevy are very fond of each other and always keep together if possible. When scattered by the common enemy they soon commence their plaintive two-sy!lablcd call and are never satisfied until they are reunited, when they converse together using a great variety of tender low notes. They sleep side by side in a circular group on the ground, heads out, ready to burst away like a " feathered bombshell " if surprised by the enemy. When hunted tlicy often take refuge in almost impenetrable thickets and swamps. They have learned by necessity the art of concealment. A full-plumaged male will flatten himself and disapi)ear on ground almost as open as a well kept lawn, and the full bevj' needs only a few overhanging fern fronds or a leafy spray to render their concealment perfect. At need. Bob-white can disappear in the open before one's very eyes and reappear again from the same spot as if he had for the time being put on the cloak of invisibility. Some- times he appears to give no scent and the dogs cannot find
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1920, bookidbirdsofameri, bookyear1923
