BIRDS OF KANSAS. 219 



ORDER CALLING. 



GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 



"Bill generally short, stout, convex, with an obtuse vaulted tip, corneous ex- 

 cept in the nasal fossa, and without restriction in its continuity. Nostrils scaled 

 or feathered. Tomiaof upper mandible overlapping. Frontal feathers forming 

 re-entraut outline at the base of upper mandible. Legs usually feathered to 

 the tarsus or beyond. Hallux elevated, with a few exceptions (e. g., Cracidce and 

 Megapodidce) smaller than the anterior toes, occasionally wanting (as in the 

 Hemipods). Tarsus (when not feathered) generally broadly scutellate. Front 

 toes commonly webbed at base. Claws blunt, little curved. Wings strong, 

 short, and concavo-convex. Rectices commonly more than twelve. Head 

 small. Plumage usually after shafted. Carotids double, except Turnicidce and 

 Megapodidce. No intrinsic syringeal muscles. Sternum very deeply, generally 

 doubly, notched. Palate schizoguathous. Chiefly polygamous. Prsecocial and 

 ptilopa3dic." 



SUBOEDEE PHASIANI. PHEASANTS, GEOUSE, PAE- 



TRIDGES, QUAILS, ETC. 



Hind toe small, short (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and in- 

 serted above the level of the anterior toes. (Ridgway.) 



FAMILY TETRAONID^l. GROUSE, PARTRIDGES, ETC. 



Tarsi without spurs; head entirely feathered (except sometimes over eyes), 

 and tail not vaulted. (Ridgway.) 



SUBFAMILY PERDICINJE. PARTRIDGES. 



Tarsi and nasal fossae entirely naked; sides of toes not pectinated; smaller 

 (wing less than 6.00). (Ridgway.) 



GENUS COLINUS LESSOR. 



"Bill stout; head not conspicuously crested; tail short, scarcely more than 

 half the wing, composed of moderately soft feathers; wings normal; legs devel- 

 oped, the toes reaching considerably beyond the tip of the tail; the lateral toes 

 short, equal, their claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw." 



Colinus virginianus (LINN.). 



BOB- WHITE. 

 PLATE XIII. 



Resident; abundant from the eastern to the middle portion 

 of the State, moving westward and increasing with its settle- 

 ment. Begin laying the last of April. 



