64 Contributions from the Charleston Museum. 



arises: what becomes of the innumerable numbers that are annually 

 raised? I have seen late in the autumn, upon the approach of 

 sunset, a covey fly high in the air and depart in a southerly di- 

 rection. These birds were undoubtedly migrating. If all the 

 partridges which are annually hatched and raised were to re- 

 main on the plantations where they were bred, the crops of grain 

 would be seriously injured. 



The birds which frequent the forest are always shyer, and, 

 when flushed, fly to greater distances than those which frequent 

 the fields. 



Although the liirds commence to pair during the second week 

 in April, I have frequently observed them in large flocks as late 

 as the middle of May. Audubon states^ that "in the neighbor- 

 hood of Charleston, in South Carolina, it breeds twice in the year, 

 first in May, and again in September." This statement is cer- 

 tainly an error, as the birds have but one brood, unless the eggs 

 have been taken, when they continue to lay for an indefinite 

 period until a brood is raised. I have caught young birds, which 

 were about two days old, in the second week of November. Dur- 

 ing the breeding season the birds have many enemies to contend 

 with, including negroes, snakes, foxes, crows, and protracted 

 rains. But the greatest enemy is the negro, who never passes 

 a nest of this fine bird without taking the eggs, even when they 

 are on the point of hatching. The birds are thus forced to lay 

 again and again in order to raise a brood, which accounts for 

 young birds being seen in different stages of growth so late in the 

 summer and autumn. 



The nest is composed of grasses and weeds and is arched over. 

 It is placed on the ground at the foot of a tuft of grass or among 

 bushes, and generally in a secluded place. The eggs are pure 

 white, generally nest-stained, range from thirteen to twent.y in 

 number, and measure 1 .25 X .95. The Bob-white is a late breeder. 

 Full complements of eggs are completed between May 22 and 31, 

 but much depends upon the season. 



FAMILY MELEAGRIDiE : TURKEYS. 

 126. Meleagris gallopavo silvestris (Vieill.). Wild Turkey. 

 The Wild Turkey is a permanent resident but fast becoming a 

 very rare bird, and, unless laws are enacted and vigorously en- 



' Birds of America, V, 63. 



