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20 



G/tA/E BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



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the Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah, and are now common 

 in various portions of that State. In 1875 a few were liber- 

 ated at Boise City, Idaho, and not many years after the 

 birds were numerous along the Boise River and west of 

 the Snake River. It has also been introduced into Colo- 

 rado, California, quite abundant about Gilroy, .Oregon, 

 in several of the islands in Puget Sound, and wherever 

 the climate is suitable and food abundant. This species 

 will flourish and increase in numbers in most climates, 

 soon adapting itself to its surroundings. As a rule. 

 Bob White is a resident and passes his life in or near 

 the places in which he was hatched, but in the more 

 northern portions of his habitat, even as far south as 

 Virginia, there appears to be a partial migration north 

 and south in the spring and autumn, and when shoot- 

 ing I have often met with coveys that seemed to be 

 traveling, though of course it is difficult to prove the 

 fact. But it is certain that within a district where every 

 CO » ey which inhabits it is known and the place it usually 

 frequents well ascertained, occasionally in the autumn 

 other bevies will appear upon the same ground, appar- 

 ently on the tramp, and which make no stay. 



This bird never goes in packs or large flocks, like the 

 plumed quails of New Mexico, Arizona, or CaHfornia, 

 but individuals of each covey, presumably one family, 

 remain together, and even after they have been decimated 

 by the sportsman or by furred and feathered enemies, 

 the survivors rarely join another bevy, but keep by 

 themselves until the recurring spring. The matinj^: 

 season commences according to the latitude of the birds' 

 habitat, from March to May, and nidification from April 

 to June. As spring begins to temper the keen blasts of 

 winter, and the rays of the returning sun, coming from 

 the southern limit of its journey below the Equator, cause 



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