BIRDS OF THE LAND. 



181 



day and by night. These they must either fight, or 

 escape from by flying or by running. 



A short, stout beak, with the upper jaw turning its 

 sharp point a little down over the under jaw, gives 

 them a good instrument to* peck with. What could 

 they do with the bill of the duck, or the crane, or the 

 woodcock ? The leg is of medium length, is set near 

 the middle of the body, and is suited to running. The 

 foot ends in four toes. The hind toe is set a little 

 higher than the three front ones, and is long enough 

 to cling to the perch. The front toes have scarcely 

 any web between them, and are armed with thick, 

 strong claws for scratching. What could these birds, 

 that must scratch for 

 a living, do with such 

 claws as ducks and 

 snipes have ? The 

 wings are strong, and 

 rather round than 

 pointed ; but they are 

 good for flying short 

 distances. 



Every one, who as 

 a child lived in the 

 country, retains pleas- 

 ant recollections of 

 Bob White. His true name is Virginia partridge. 



California Quail. 



He 



is ten inches long, and he has a very near relation 

 the ruffed grouse which is sixteen inches long. In 

 New England and the North, this grouse is called a 

 partridge, and Bob White a quail. In the Southern 

 states Bob is named a partridge. 



