The American Bobwhiie.



165



white and other Quails” and “ The Grouse and Wild Turkeys” ;

we propose to notice the former now, reserving the latter to a

future number of the Avicultural Magazine. The investigations

of the United States Biological Survey show that the seven

species of Quails found within their borders, with rare excep¬

tions, are not only harmless, but are very useful to agriculture,

and that there is every reason why these birds should be care¬

fully preserved, and, if possible, their numbers increased.


The well-known Virginian Colin or Bobwhite ( Colinus

virginianus ), the only quail indigenous to the Eastern States,

appears to be the most useful of all. It is a widely distributed

species, but has of recent years suffered from ruthless persecution

and even extermination in many places, and it is extremely

desirable that every effort should be made to preserve it. By

intelligent protection there is not the slightest doubt that these

useful birds may be greatly increased in numbers.


The breeding season of the Bobwhite varies with the

locality, but in each section of the birds’ range is limited to a

fairly well-defined period. About Washington the coveys break

up early in May, and the chicks appear at the end of June or early

in July. As many as twenty-four eggs have been found in one

nest. Florida birds commence to breed about the first of April,

(sometimes earlier), Texas birds mainly in April and May.

“ Throughout its range some of the birds breed earlier and

others later than the main body of the species, and the occur¬

rence of second or even third broods may lengthen the season.”

The Bobwhite has been known to breed, in some parts of its

range, every month of the year, except December.


The familiar call-note of the male, sounding like ‘ bob-

white,' 4 bob-bob-white' and interpreted by the farmer as ‘ more

wet' or 4 no yyiore wet' is not by any means the only note uttered

during the nuptial season. A cock-bird was noticed to leave his

perch where he had been calling 4 bob-white,' and approach the

nest where the hen was sitting. 44 When within 50 yards of his

mate he uttered the rally note, so thrilling to the sportsman in

the fall, 4 ka-loi-kee,' which the hen often answered with a single

clear whistle. Then followed a series of queer responsive 4 cater-

waulings,’ more unbirdlike than those of the yellow-breasted



