244 BIRDS OF THE WEST OF SCOTLAND. 



THE VIRGINIAN COLIN. 

 ORTYX VIRGINIANA. 



THIS beautiful quail, which is so well known in North America 

 under the name of "Bob White," was introduced into East Lothian 

 in 1857, by Dr W. P. Turnbull of Philadelphia, who sent four 

 brace of birds to Mr William Paterson, North Berwick Mains. 

 They were turned out and appeared to thrive well for a time, but 

 Mr Paterson informs me that they have since disappeared. A 

 similar fate appears to have befallen a number of pairs which 

 were introduced into the county of Norfolk by the late Earl of 

 Leicester, early in the present century.* I feel sure that if any 

 proprietor desires to renew the experiment, my friend will gladly 

 forward others. 



An interesting account of this species will be found in the first 

 volume of Audubon's ' Ornithological Biography.' The author adds 

 a word in praise of the quality of its flesh. Besides being juicy 

 and tender, it is white and extremely agreeable to the palate, and 

 therefore in much request. In alluding, however, to the introduc- 

 tion of the bird into various parts of Europe, Audubon says "it is 

 not much liked there, being of such pugnacious habits as to drive 

 off the common grey partridge, which is considered a better bird 

 for the table." 



Professor Baird, whose work will be found both interesting and 

 useful to the British ornithologist, mentions that " this species is 

 subject to considerable variations, both of size and colour, the more 

 northern being considerably the larger. Southern specimens are 

 darker, with more black about the head, on the wings, and the 

 middle of the back. There is also a more appreciable mottling on 

 the wings, and the feathers of the back are streaked with black." 

 Instances of other variations are given by Mr Baird, the most 

 notable of which is a large "and redder coloured" individual from 

 the Devil's river, the differences in this case being supposed to 

 indicate something more than mere variety; but in valuing these 

 it should not be overlooked that in even the common partridge of 

 this country a much greater variety of plumage is known to exist. 



Birds of Norfolk,' by Henry Stevenson, F.L.S., vol. i., p. 436. 



