identical with those of the quail. Nearer and nearer I came to the brushheap and yet not a sound. Presently I was within a few feet of it and still could not see a sign of a quail. All at once four or five “whirred” up from nowhere it seemed, startling me as before. This was not the whole flock, and I expected more. None came however and so I went clear up to the heap and kicked my foot against it. Once I heard a faint rustling down underneath but that was a11. If ally birds were concealed within, they evidently knew they were safe from me.
     After a few final spiteful kicks, I now turned to where the other four or five had flown.  But they disappeared entirely.  It occurred to me now that perhaps this was another trick for confusing a pursuer. Possibly the first time I “scared them up”, a part of the flock settled, while the rest flew on; then again, when I came upon them a second time,the remainder might merely have made a pretense at alighting, while they really flew on to join the first part. At any rate, I saw them no more. Once I sew a red-headed woodpecker pursue a downy from tree to tree.