30 GROUSE FAMILY. 



New England, and as " Partridge " farther south. Bob-White is 

 still a common bird in southern New England, though of some- 

 what local distribution. It is rarely found north of Massachusetts, 

 but a few scattered flocks are occasionally met with along the 

 southern borders of the three northern States. 



In Canada it occurs only in the southern peninsula of Ontario 

 north to Gravenhurst, and though quite common near London and 

 Hamilton, is reported " rare " about Toronto and Lucknow. 



Note. — The Florida Bob-white {Colinus virginianus flori- 

 danus) is a smaller race with darker colors and broader black mark- 

 ings. It is found in the northern and middle regions of Florida. 



The Cuban Bob-white (C virginianus cubanensis) differs 

 chiefly from the type in the markings of the plumage. It is 

 restricted in the United States to the southwestern or tropical 

 region of Florida. 



The Messina Quail {Cotmnix co/nrnix) has been imported 

 from Europe by hundreds during the last fifteen years and let loose 

 in various parts of the country ; but though a few young and old 

 birds appeared in the neighborhood for a year or two following 

 their release, the effort to naturalize the species is considered a 

 failure. In 1878 a number were released near St. Stephen, New 

 Brunswick, and during the next three years I heard occasionally 

 of small bevies being seen near the Bay of Fundy shore between 

 St. Stephen and St. John, as well as in the Kennebecasis valley as 

 far east as Sussex ; but either the climate or the food was unsuited 

 to them. 



RUFFED GROUSE. 



pheasant. partridge. birch partridge. 



Bonasa umbellus. 



Char. Upper parts mottled brown and gray, with markings of black 

 and dull white ; head with crest ; a " ruff" of long black feathers on sides 

 of neck ; tail with broad sub-terminal band of black ; under parts pale 

 tawny, throat unmarked, breast and belly barred with brown; legs com- 

 pletely covered with feathers. Length 16 to iS inches. 



Nest. Amid a thicket or under cover of a bush, — usually on border of 

 heavy timber ; a mere cushion of leaves, grass, moss, etc. 



Eff^^s. 6-20 (usually 10 or 12); color varies from pale cream to dark 

 buff, often marked with faint spots of brown ; 1.60 X 1.15. 



