30 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 
be discovered. When they are readily found it may be 
on account of one having stirred after alighting, and, 
when flushed by the dog, the noise of the wings caused 
the others to start or change their positions, and as any 
movement would permit the scent to escape, they would 
also be quickly discovered. I do not think it at all prob- 
able the birds have any power over the natural scent of 
their bodies, but its absence at times is probably caused 
in some such way as that stated above. 
COLINUS VIRGINIANUS. 
Geographical Distribution.—Eastern United States from 
Southern Ontario and Maine to the Gulf States, but not in Florida, 
where it is represented by an allied race. West of the Mississippi 
to South Dakota (possibly introduced in the last named State 
from Florida), Missouri, and eastern Texas. Its range westward 
is being gradually extended with the settlement of the country. 
It has also been introduced into New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, 
Idaho, and on the Pacific into California, Oregon, and Washing- 
ton. Breeds everywhere in its range. 
Adult Male.—Forehead and stripe over the eye, extending 
down the side of the neck, white ; in some specimens, notably one 
from Massachusetts before me, this stripe and the forehead are 
buff, like the throat of the female. The upper side of this line is 
bordered with black. Top of head and neck, chestnut, with black 
interspersed on the former, and the feathers of the latter, with 
white on the webs; the chestnut being confined to an arrow-shaped 
mark at the tip, margined on either side with black. Sometimes 
this mark is all black. The amount of white seen on the neck 
varies greatly among individuals, and sometimes there is much 
buff instead of white shown. Upper part of back, light chestnut ; 
margin of webs of some feathers, blue-gray, vermiculated with 
black and more or less conspicuous. Back, rump, and upper tail- 
coverts varying from a grayish to a yellowish brown, blotched on 
middle of the back with black, and with dark brown or black 
triangular or arrow-headed markings along the shafts of the 
feathers at their tips, and irregular narrow black bars across the 
