THE BOB-WHITE. 5601 
and across auriculars coalescing behind with narrow breast-band of same color; 
enclosed space pure white; breast and belly white or buffy white, narrowly and 
finely cross-barred with black, usually with disconnected brace-shaped markings ; 
chest mingled heavily or slightly with vinaceous-rufous below the black band; 
sides and flanks broadly striped with cinnamon-rufous, marked with black and 
white and blending with pattern of wing; bill black. Adult female: Similar to 
male, but throat and superciliary line deep buff instead of white; black of throat, 
cheek-band, and crown merely indicated by blackish spots; general coloration a 
little more subdued. This bird varies interminably within the limits laid down; 
no two birds are exactly alike, and albinistic and melanotic specimens are not rare. 
Spring birds are brighter colored than fall specimens. Length 9.50-10.75 (241.3- 
273.1); wing 4.33 (110); tail 2.33 (59.2); bill .56 (14.2). Females average a 
little smaller than males. 
Recognition Marks.—Robin size; not crested; white throat of male and 
buffy throat of female distinctive ; wah-quoit notes. 
Nesting.—Nest: on ground, a mere depression, indifferently lined with 
grasses, leaves, etc. Eggs: 10-26, usually about 18, white, pure or nest-stained ; 
pyriform-ovate. Av. size, 1.20 x .94 (30.5 x 23.9). Season: May 20-June 10; 
one or two broods according to latitude. 
General Range.—Eastern United States and southern Ontario, from south- 
ern Maine to the South Atlantic and Gulf States, west to central South Dakota, 
Kansas, eastern Texas, etc. It is recently extending its range westward along 
lines of settlement, and has been successfully introduced into various Western and 
Pacific States. 
Range in Washington.—Locally introduced thruout the State. Well estab- 
lished in the vicinity of all the larger towns and upon the San Juan Islands. 
Authorities.—[“ American Quail (introduced), Johnson, Rep. Goy. W. T. 
1884 (1885) 23.] Rathbun, Auk, Vol. XIX. Apr. 1902, p. 133. Ra. Kk. J. B. E. 
Specimens.—(U. of W.) C. E. 
BOB-BOB-W HITE,—mellow and clear across the meadows comes the 
fine challenge of the American Quail. The last rays of the setting sun gild the 
top rails of the old worm-fence, which is the chosen trysting place, and the 
happy gallant sounds his notes again and again, both as a call to his timid 
mate and as a formal notice to any unsatisfied rival. At close range the notes 
have usually a triple character, but the first one does not carry well, and the 
bird is known to distant hearers as Bob-white or, better, Vah-quoit, after the 
Indian rendering. 
Fierce battles sometimes ensue upon these challenges, but once his do- 
mestic fortunes are settled, there is no more devoted husband and father than 
the Bob-white. Attachment to home and attachment to companions are both 
prevailing characteristics; and it is these which, together with his nimbleness 
a-wing, make him the ideal upland game bird. Once a flock is scattered, it will 
assemble again; and so certain is it to return to the same range, that the last 
member of it may be slaughtered, if the hunting is pushed to such an unwise 
extreme. 
