XVI 



BOB- WHITE 



BOB-WHITE is a trim and handsome partridge, 

 intermediate in size between the quails and par- 

 tridges of the old world. He is conceded to be the 

 best game bird in America. In my opinion he has not 

 his equal in the world. He lies well to the dog, as I 

 have said before, tests to the utmost the sportsman's 

 skill in the open, and in cover seldom takes to the 

 trees, is of convenient size for the game pocket, and is 

 excellent for the table. He is certainly a better game 

 bird than any of the grouse, since over dogs they are 

 too easy marks, or fly too often to the trees. He is 

 better than the imported pheasants or the partridges 

 of Europe, since he lies better to the dogs ; and birds 

 shot over dogs are superior as game to those shot from 

 ambush the ducks and shore-birds or waders. 



After a long controversy the ornithologists are 

 agreed that he is a partridge, not a quail, and have 

 given him the name Bob-white ; by which he was 

 known to country folk long before. 



During the mating and nesting season he whistles 

 the notes loud and clear which are supposed to resem- 

 ble the words " ah Bob-white," and so he may be said 

 to have whistled for himself a name. 



Early in the spring this partridge seeks a mate. The 



nest is built upon the ground, usually well concealed 



109 



