Bob White, the Game Bird of America. 667 



BOB WIIITK 



neither of these authors states how these facts were ascertained. 

 Our distinguished ornithologist, Dr. Coues, classes Bob White 

 among the partridges, and says : 



" Our partridges [viz., Hoi) White, the Mountain, Valley, and Masscna (juails, etc.] 

 may he distinguished among American Gallina by the foregoing characters, but not 

 from those of the Old World; and it is highly improbable that, as a group, they are 

 separable from all the forms of the latter by any decided peculiarities. I find that the 

 principal supposed character, namely, a toothing of the under mandible, is very faintly 

 indicated in some forms, and entirely wanting in others. Pending final issue, however, 

 it is expedient to recognize the group, so strictly limited geographically, if not other- 

 wise. • • • In habits, they agree more or less completely with the well-known Hob 

 White: head completely feathered, and usually crested, the crest frequently assuming 

 a remarkable shape; nasal fosse not filled with feathers, the nostrils c o vered with I 

 naked scale, tarsi and toes naked, the latter scarcely or not fringed." 



If, however, many of our friends should persist — as they certainly 



will — in calling Hob White a quail, then they should call a brood of 



• birds a bevy ; while a covey should designate a brood, if they 



call him a Virginia partridge. The plumage di0en so much with 



latitude that some naturalists have made out three species — the 



