162 PERDICIDJE. 



standing this prolific supply, they have two broods in 

 the year, while the young run about and take care of 

 themselves as soon as they leave the egg-shell, and are 

 able to fly in a fortnight; so that were it not for the 

 great number which are annually drowned in the heavy 

 rains, and either trapped or lost in the severe winters, 

 these birds would no doubt multiply to an extraordinary 

 extent. In 1861 there was a great abundance of them 

 in the western districts of Canada; but last year they 

 were not so plentiful, owing to the above causes operating 

 to reduce their number. 



When the snow has excluded them from their usual 

 coverts they may be seen huddled together in a circle 

 on its surface, and remaining in this position during 

 the heavy storms, are often buried in the drifts. In 

 severe weather they appear to have little fear of man, 

 and at all times exhibit a preference for cultivated dis- 

 tricts, on account of the supply of grain which they 

 afford ; from this cause they have been less disturbed 

 by the advancing tide of emigration than many other 

 birds of more shy disposition. 



The call of the cock bird, which during the autumn 

 is loud and frequent, sounds so exactly like the words 

 " Bob White," as to have obtained for it that sobriquet 

 among the Americans. 



In Canada the season for shooting the so-called quail 



