138 Allen's naturalists library. 



or tiers, the small or pointed ends always towards the centre." 

 {Ben dire.) 



Dull white, slightly glossed, often partially stained with 

 yellowish-buff. Average measurements, i'2 by '96 inch. 



SUB-SP. a. THE FLORIDA COLIN. ORTYX FLORIDANUS. 



Ortyx virginiamis floridanus, Coues, Key N. Amer. B. p. 237 

 (1872); Ogilvie-Grant, Cat. B. Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 418 



(1893). 

 Colinus virghiianus Jloridanus, Bendire, N. Amer. B. p. 7 

 (1892). 



Adult Male. — Differs from the male of O. virginiaiius in 

 having the general tone of the plumage darker ; ear-coverts 

 blacky the band from the gape passing unintirrupledly across 

 tliem round the base of the throat, where it ividens out, often 

 extending over the npper chest ; the black bars on the under- 

 parts much coarser and more strongly marked. Measurements 

 the same. 



Adult Female. — Darker than the female of O. virginianus, and 

 with the black bars on the under-parts much more strongly 

 marked, and equally defined on the middle of the breast and 

 belly. 



Range.— Florida. Cuba ; probably introduced. 



Habits. — Captain Bendire writes: — "This somewhat smaller 

 and darker race is found only in Florida. Dr. W. L. Ralph, 

 who has enjoyed excellent opportunities for studying the habits 

 of the Florida Bob-White, and is well-known as a reliable and 

 careful observer, writes to me as follows : — ' It is still common 

 throughout the northern and central parts of the State, and 

 probably in the southern portions as well, but they are not 

 nearly so abundant as formerly, owing to the persecution they 

 receive from northern visitors and negroes, and to the want of 

 efticient game laws. They are very tame and confiding, and 

 when not molested prefer to live near man, probably on 



