OF EASTERN PENNSYLVANIA. 317 



of a uniform dark cream-color, and with occasional dark 

 blotches. In shape, they are oblong-oval, with a single 

 pointed extremity. Their measurement is 1.59 by 1.14 

 inches. 



Subfamily OdontOphorinSD. American Partridges. 



The following characters clearly distinguish our partridges, 

 among American Gallince. The head is entirely feathered, 

 ordinarily crested. The nostrils are concealed by a naked 

 scale, and the nasal fossae, unfilled with feathers. The tarsi 

 are naked, as also the toes which are scarcely, or not at all 

 fringed. The Odontophorince are especially numerous in 

 species in both Central and South America. Odontophorus 

 Eiipsychortyx, and Dendrortyx, are extra-limital genera 

 which embrace about forty species. The North American 

 forms are comprehended within four genera, which include 

 about eight species and varieties. 



Ortyx virginianus, Bonap. 



The Quail or Partridge, but most commonly the latter name 

 as this species is popularly designated, has a rather wide dis- 

 tribution. It ranges from Florida to Maine, and from the 

 Atlantic to Texas, thence to the Central Plains. In the 

 islands of Jamaica and St. Croix, this bird has been intro- 

 duced, and has become acclimated. A few attempts have 

 been made to introduce it in Utah, which have only proved 

 partially successful. In both New Hampshire and Vermont, 

 it is quite scarce, being only restricted to their southern 

 limits. In many portions of Massachusetts, it has of late 

 years become quite rare. Its presence in Maine is uncertain. 

 In the Middle States, it is uncommonly abundant, but not 

 so much so as formerly. 



In Eastern Pennsylvania, Quails are considerably less plen- 

 tiful than in our boyhood days. But during the past three 

 years, owing to wise and salutary legislative enactments, they 

 have been steadily on the increase. They are chiefly non-mi- 



