BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA. 105 



in trees. According to my observations, they do not, as a rule, attempt to hide as 

 the Grouse does, in the thick foliage, but perch on a limb frequently like the 

 Grouse, on the opposite side of the tree from which they entered mostly near the 

 body of the tree, and squat close to the bark. In the summer, when the wife is en- 

 gaged with her domestic duties, it is not uncommon to see Mr. Quail perched 

 in an upright position on a fence, uttering his shrill and pleasing whistle that 

 has given rise to the vernacular and appropriate name, Bob-white, In Grouse there is 

 but little difference in the sexes, though the female, usually a little smaller, has the 

 neck-tufts, less developed, and duller in color. The male Quail has line over eye and 

 throat patch white ; the female has these parts buff or yellowish, but otherwise is 

 similar to male. 



GENUS COLINTJS LESSON. 

 Colinus virginianus (LiNN.). 



Bob-white; Quail; Partridge. 



DESCRIPTION (Plate 12). 



Feathers of crown lengthened and erectile, but not forming a crest as in the 

 pheasant. Forehead, streak over eye and throat patch (white in male, buff in fe- 

 male) light colored, and in male particularly, bordered with black ; neck all round 

 reddish-brown varied with black and white, the latter especially showy on back of 

 neck ; rest of upper parts reddish-brown varied with black, white, gray and pale 

 buff; tail mostly bluish-gray; under parts whitish, with reddish-brown sides 

 streaked irregularly with black. Length about 10| inches ; extent about 15. 



Habitat. Eastern United States and southern Canada from southern Maine to the 

 south Atlantic and gulf States ; west to Dakota, eastern Kansas and eastern Texas. 



This species is found in Pennsylvania at all seasons, yet I am fully 

 convinced that many of those that breed here migrate^in the autumn 

 southward. During- the fall, and particularly in the month of October, 

 I have observed flocks, consisting- of several families and numbering 

 from sixty to a hundred or more individuals engaged in such migrations. 

 Partridges at all seasons other than when breeding are seen in flocks. 

 When not migrating- we find them in flocks of twelve to fifteen each, 

 frequenting fields and swamps usually near the borders of woods or 

 thickets, to which they speedily repair when disturbed. Early in April 

 these birds pair and about the first of May commence nesting. The 

 nest is always placed on the ground, generally in a slig-ht hollow, and is 

 constructed chiefly of small twigs and grasses. The nest is usually placed 

 in a grass field, concealed by a hig-h tuft of grass or protected by a thick 

 overhanging bush. The eggs are white, pear-shaped, and althoug-h 

 variable, generally number about fifteen. The birds are mainly terres- 

 trial in habits. In the autumn and winter, when continually pursued 

 by sportsmen and dogs, they oftentimes, when flushed, seek refug-e in 

 trees ; they usually alight on a large limb close to the main trunk and 

 crouch so close that not unfrequently they escape the notice of the 

 eager hunter. A gentleman of my acquaintance some years ag-o while 

 out hunting pheasants noticed a slight movement among some dead 



