BIRDS OF KANSAS 12T 



collected and piled into heaps by those who had assembled 

 for the purpose. 



" Though for the most part living, moving and feeding 

 together in large companies, the Wild Pigeon mates in 

 pairs for purposes of breeding. They have several 

 broods in the season, and commence nesting very early in 

 the spring, the time being considerably affected by the 

 amount of food." 



Their nests are placed on trees, and in communities ; a 

 slight platform structure of twigs, without any material 

 for lining Avhatever. Eggs two, 1.45x1.05; wliite; in 

 form, varying from elliptical to oval. 



XLL— BOB-WHITE. 



Collnus virginianus (Linn.). 



Resident; abundant from the eastern to the middle 

 portion of the State, moving westward and increasing 

 with its settlement. Begin laying the last of April. 



Habitat. Eastern United States; nortli into Lower 

 Canada; south to the Gulf States; west to Hakotn, T\nn- 

 sas, Indian Territory and eastern Texas. 



Iris brown; bill dark brown, usually pale brown at base 

 of under mandible; legs and feet pale bluish to brownish 

 gray ; claws black. 



This familiar species is generally known in the Now 

 England and Middle States as the Quail, and in the South- 

 ern States as the Partridge. These names belong to other 

 and quite different — ^though closeily allied — ^birds. At 

 the suggestion of Prof. Baird, " Bob-white," its cheerful 

 call note, has l:)ecome its accepted and present name. The 

 birds appear to thrive best in the presence of man, an<l, 



