A long, long time ago, when I was just a little girl, I remember my grandmother teaching me the call of the "Bob White", aka known as a quail. She told me when the bird called out he was saying "Bob, Bob White". I was intrigued by this bit of information, and have never forgotten it. I think of my grandmother every time I hear a quail sing.
Recently, we've had a quail or two hanging around in the woods near our house. Every now and then we can hear the familiar call of "Bob, Bob White".
The other day granddaughter, Madison, was visiting with me outside in our yard. A quail was singing its little heart out. I told Madison to listen to its call, then I explained to her that he was saying "Bob Bob White". I wondered if she was really paying attention, and I thought about my grandmother again...
A few days later, my daughter, who wasn't aware of my bird conversation with Madison, shared a funny story with me. She said that she and Madison were in the yard one day when a quail began to sing. Madison quickly exclaimed "He's calling Bob White"! My daughter asked "Who's Bob White?" Maddie said, "I don't know, but he's calling him!"
So little Maddie was listening after all! And the legend passes from grandmother to granddaughter, one more time. I think that's sort of special! We still don't know who Bob White is though!
