. Plate XVIII. 



ORTYX VIRGINIANUS-QuaiHBob-White. 



The Bob-White is a permanent resident of Ohio. The greater portion of the year, the okl birds 

 with the family increase are found in coveys. In early spring this general attachment is broken up 

 by pairing, each pair selecting a locality Avhere they remain during the breeding season. When mating 

 has taken place it is known at once by the demonstrations of the male, who gives to the w^hole neighbor- 

 hood due notice of his domestic intentions by frequent repetitions at short intervals, of his cheerful and 

 well-known woie^—Bob-WJiite, Bob-White. Nesting begins as early as the first of May. Two, and some- 

 times three, broods are hatched during the season. 



LOCALITY : 



Corners of worm-fences and stumps, in garden-patches or in cultivated fields, having tall grass or 

 weeds about them, are favorite sites for the nest. Sometimes it is placed in a field with no protection 

 except the growing grain or grass. Rarely it is built in thick woods, in a tussock, or beside a stump or 

 log. But wherever the locality, either highland or lowland, cultivated or wild, a spot Avell covered by a 

 luxuriant growth of grass is usually selected. Though at times concealment as a means of security seems 

 to be abandoned, and the nest is placed under the protection of man. I have frequently seen nests built 

 within a few yaixls of a farm-house, in the short blue-grass near a much frequented path; and only a 

 few seasons since, I found a nest along side a tie on sandy ground within five feet of a railroad track. 



POSITIO^^: 



The nest which always rests upon the ground, is placed in a slight concavity, either natural or pre- 

 pared by the mother-bird. Sometimes the materials are so arranged with the surrounding tufts of o-rass 

 as to form an arched covering having a side opening, but generally it is quite free from any attempt at 

 artificial concealment. 



MATERIALS : 



The materials of construction consist of dry grass, straws, leaves, weed-stems, or like substances found 

 in„ the immediate vicinity. On account of the position, a foundation and superstructure are not required. 

 The materials used are, therefore, such as are suitable to make a comfortable and smooth lining to the 

 already selected cavity. The average diameter of the structure is about four and one-half inches. 



EGGS: 



The complement of eggs is from fifteen to twenty-five, usually about eighteen. Occasionally a nest is 

 discovered which contains thirty or forty, and even more. Such a set is without doubt the joint labor of 

 two or three hens. The eggs are pure white, unless stained by the bed of grass upon Avhich they rest. 

 At one end they are quite pointed, and at the other obtusely rounded, and measure about 1.18 x .98 of 

 an inch. 



77 



