VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE 



VIRGINIAN COLIN. 



PLATE CXLIIL FIGURE I. 



Ortyx virginianus, . . . SAUNDERS. HARTING. 

 Perdix virginiana, . . . LATHAM. JENYNS. 



THIS bird, which has been repeatedly introduced in large 

 numbers from North America, has never become estab- 

 lished in this country. 



The nest, placed under or in some thick tuft of grass 

 that shelters and conceals it, is described as well covered 

 with a hood, an opening being left at one side for entrance, 

 and is composed of leaves and fine dry grass, both birds 

 assisting in its fabrication. 



The eggs, from ten or twelve to fifteen or even twenty- 

 four in number, this latter quantity the joint produce in all 

 probability of two birds laying in the same nest, are pure 

 white, without any spots, and broad at one end, but pointed 

 at the other. 



The hen bird performs the task of incubation, and the 

 whole family keep together till the following spring. The 

 young leave the nest at once on being hatched, and are 

 conducted forth by the female in search of food, and from 

 time to time are sheltered under her wings, collected together 

 by a twittering cry. Should danger appear to threaten, she 



