Wayne: Birds of South Carolina. 63 



and it is not unusual to see flocks containing from twenty to sev- 

 enty-five individuals. The majority of these birds are undoubt- 

 edly migrants from points to the northward of South Carolina 

 and not the resident breeding birds, which apparently go together 

 in pairs or small flocks of from four to six individuals. 



This species is at all times very shy and even in the breeding 

 season or in the coldest weather is ever on the alert and knows 

 the danger line. I have seen these birds open Raccoon oysters 

 by inserting the bill into the gaping shell, like a wedge, when 

 the shell at once opens. As soon as the tide leaves the oyster 

 banks the birds at once resort to them, returning to the beaches 

 when the banks are covered. 



ORDER GALLIN^E: GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



FAMILY ODONTOPHORID^ : BOB-WHITES, QUAILS, ETC. 

 125. Colinus virginianus (Linn.). Bob-white; "Partridge." 

 This well known game bird is a permanent resident and is 

 exceedingly abundant along the entire coast. On Oakland plan- 

 tation, near Mount Pleasant, there are no less than twenty-six 

 coveys. Mr. Philip E. Porcher, the present owner, tells me 

 that when he moved to this place in P'ebruary, 1859, he observed 

 a flock of these birds near the dwelling house, and I may add 

 that the descendants of this particular covey are still to be seen 

 at this date — 1910. As long as the aspect of the country is un- 

 changed the Bob-white will be found in the same locality year 

 after year, but when the cover is destroyed the birds are forced 

 to find other places which are suitable. Any thorough sports- 

 man can recognize a place where this species can be found, with- 

 out inquiry, by the character of the land. 



A plantation will contain a certain number of coveys, year 

 after year, without any apparent increase of additional flocks. 

 This fact is well-known by land owners who are interested in 

 the preservation of the birds. That the birds undoubtedly in- 

 crease is shown by the presence of enormous coveys in the autumn 

 in places where none were known to exist before. These birds 

 were undoubtedly bred on the land where their ancestors lived 

 for years, and consequently are their descendants. But they 

 do not remain, as the same coveys are still to be found in the same 

 places where they have been for years. The question at once 



