THE FLORIDA BOB WHITE. 33 



raise in a season, and their considerable size, there is 

 no reason why this bird should not be abundant in all 

 the districts in which it is found, affording food and sport 

 for multitudes of people. But so long as each person is 

 permitted to do with them as seemeth good in his own 

 eyes, the time cannot be far distant when it will become 

 scarce in many parts of Florida and extinct in some. 

 The winter brings many men to the State who hunt with- 

 out ceasing, and this little bird is one of the chief objects 

 they seek. The same covey is followed day after day until 

 jnly two or three, or perhaps no birds at all are left, and 

 then new localities are sought and fresh coveys decimated 

 or destroyed. The negroes also snare multitudes of 

 Quail, and on every occasion that offers take potshots 

 at a bevy huddled together on the ground. It cannot 

 therefore be surprising, that from man's legitimate and 

 illegitimate killing, in connection with that accomplished 

 by furred, feathered, and scaly foes, the lives of the 

 Florida Quail are constantly sacrificed, and the existence 

 of the race threatened. The food of this bird consists of 

 seeds and berries, and its notes are the same as those 

 of Bob White. 



COLINUS VIRGINIANUS FLORIDANUS. 



Geographical Distribution. — State of Florida. 



Adult Male. — In its general markings this bird resembles its 

 relative " Bob White "of the Northern United States, but is very 

 much darker in all its coloration. The top of the head is almost 

 black, and the white under parts are barred irregularly with jet 

 black, and the chestnut flank feathers are marked on their outer 

 webs with white and jet black. Lower abdomen and vent, dusky 

 white barred with black. The back, wings, and tail are similar to 

 those of the typical style, but much darker in all the colors, 

 except perhaps the tail feathers, which are not much different in 

 hue from those of the Northern " Bob White." Throat and line 



