VIRGINIAN QUAIL. Ortyx Virginiana. 



until the second year, and the little dark spots on the feathers of the breast, 

 length of the Quail is about seven inches. 



The total 



AN allied species is found in many parts of North America, and is known by the name of 

 the VIEGINIAN QUAIL. In popular parlance, however, it is generally called the Partridge, 

 greatly to the confusion of young ornithologists. On account of its peculiar cry, it is 

 also called " Bob-White," its clear call-note bearing considerable resemblance to those 

 words. 



The Virginian Quail generally keeps itself to the open ground, preferring those spots 

 where grain is plentiful. Sometimes, however, it shelters itself among the trees or brush- 

 wood, but even then seems to pass but little of its time in such retreats. During the 

 winter it gains courage by hunger, approaching human habitations in search of food, and 

 boldly fighting with the poultry for the grain thrown to them. Oftentimes the eggs are 

 placed under the domestic hen, and in that case the young birds are very tame, provided 

 that the foster-mother is of a quiet stay-at-home temper, and not given to roam. Wilson 

 informs us that two young Quails, which had been hatched by a hen, attached themselves 

 to the cows, accompanying them regularly to the field ; standing by them when they were 

 milked, retiring with them in the evening and roosting in the stable. These interesting 

 little birds unfortunately disappeared in the spring. 



As the flesh of the Quail is particularly excellent, it is greatly persecuted in the winter 

 time, when it is easily attracted by baits. Ten or fifteen at a time are often caught in a 

 contrivance that much resembles the common sieve-trap of our own country, saving that 

 a kind of coop supplies the place of the sieve. 



In the wild state the Quail makes its rude nest under the shelter of corn or grass - 

 tufts, and then lays from fifteen to twenty-four pure white eggs. As is the case with the 

 European Quail, the young are able to run about as soon as they are fairly free of the 

 shell, and are guided by their mother to the best feeding-places. The old bird is peculiarly 

 watchful of her charge, and if she should be suddenly surprised, she endeavours to draw 

 off the attention of the intruder by feigning lameness, flapping along the ground as if 

 with a broken wing, in order to gain time for the helpless young to conceal themselves. 

 At night the Quails prefer to roost on some elevated spot in the middle of a field, and it 



