138 Lloyd's natural history. 



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

 {Be?idi7'c.) 



Dull white, sliglitly glossed, often partially stained with 

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



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



Orlyx virginianus florida?ius^ Coues, Key N. Amer. B. p. 237 

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



(1893). 

 Coluius virgiftiafitis fioridaniis^ Bendire, N. Amer. B. p. 7 

 (1892). 



Adult Male. — Differs from the male of O. virgi?u'a?ius in 

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

 black, the band from the gape pass'ng iininterriipledly across 

 them round the ba~e of the throat, where it ividens ouf, often 

 extending over the upper chest ; the llack bars on the under- 

 parts much coarser and more strongly marked. Measurements 

 the same. 



Aiult Female. — Darker than the female of O. virg'miajiiis, 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 wn-ites : — "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 

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

 when not molested prefer to live near man, probably on 



