Breeding Birds of Chatham County^ Ga. 133 



OBSERVATIONS ON THE HABITS OF SOME BREED- 

 ING BIRDS OF CHATHAM COUNTY, GEORGIA 



BY W. J. ERICHSEN 



Colinus virginianus virginianus. Bob-white. This 

 species, the only gallinaceous bird that breeds in the coun- 

 ty, is moderately common, although it is restricted to cer- 

 tain sections; localities which are apparently suitable 

 being entirely avoided. During the breeding season it is 

 frequently met with in pairs along roadsides traversing 

 open countrj^ wherever suitable cover borders them. It is 

 not known to occur on Ossabaw island, one of the largest 

 sea islands on the coast of Georgia, although the character 

 of the country on this island and the mainland is in all 

 respects very similar. It is quite generally and commonly 

 distributed in the cultivated, and open, sparsel}^ timbered 

 districts adjacent to Savannah. Since 1914 I have en- 

 countered it in increasing numbers in the heavily forested 

 portions, particularly in the dense undergrowth usually 

 found about the margins of swamps. This apparently is 

 an indication that this species is lately somewhat modify- 

 ing its habits, since before the year mentioned I knew this 

 bird as strictly an inhabitant of the open country only. 

 While more and more numerously frequenting the forests, 

 it does not appear often to seek nesting sites in them; still 

 restricting itself nearly exclusively to open territory as a 

 breeding environment; ordinarily selecting brushy fields. 

 HoAvever, on May 22, 1915, I discovered a nest containing 

 eleven apparently heavily incubated eggs in thickly wooded 

 land bordering a dense swamp. This nest was placed at 

 one end of a large prostrate log, which apparently had long 

 lain there, being nearly completely covered with pine straw, 

 and dead leaves of many species of deciduous trees which 

 grew in profusion nearby. The surrounding undergrowth 

 was mostly myrtle bushes, interspersed with a few very 

 small gum and oak bushes. The nest was situated partial- 

 ly under a large brush pile composed of several bushy dead 



