HABITS. 



59 



HABITS. 



IHIS beautiful game bird is well known by all sports- 

 rimi ^^^^^' ^^^ ^y ^^^^ persons of our country. For in 

 •^^P summer the loud, clear, distinctive whistle of Bob- 

 ^ White, is as well-known, and familiar an utterance 

 as proceeds from the fields. The geographical description 

 of this bird's habits, is as described in the "North Ameri- 

 can Birds, Baird, Brewer and Eidgway." They state, this 

 species, known in New England and in certain other parts 

 of the country as the Quail, and in the Middle and Southern 

 States as the Partridge,— either of which names belonging 

 to other and quite different birds, is inappropriate,— is found 

 throughout the Eastern portion of North America from 

 Florida to Maine, and from the Atlantic to Texas on the 

 South and to the Central Plains. Partially successful at- 

 tempts have been made to introduce it in Utah, and its 

 area promises to extend much farther than its original 

 limits. This species has also been acclimated in Jamaica, 

 and now abounds in all parts of that island. There they 

 are said by Mr. March to make no nest, but to lay on the 

 ground, in tufts of grass, roots, or under clumps of bushes 

 usually from twelve to twenty eggs. These are smaller 

 than with us. This species has also been introduced into 

 the island of St. Croix, and is now very common in almost 

 every part of it, being especially abundant in the grass 

 lands of the Southwestern part. This bird is probably 

 found in all the New England States, though its presence 

 in Maine is not certain ; and, if found there at all, is only 

 met with in the extreme Southwestern part. It is also 

 rare in Vermont and New Hampshire, and only found in 

 the Southern portions. It is not given by Mr. Boardman, 

 nor by Professor Verrill. Farther West it has a more 



