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Chapter I 



OPEN NESTS ON THE GROUND, IN OPEN 

 FIELDS, MARSHES, AND GENERALLY 

 OPEN COUNTRY 



289. Bob-white ; Quail : Coiinus virginianus(L!nn.) 



Adult $ — Plumage : Upper parts reddish brown, with more or 

 less complete black bars ; rump warm rich gray, slightly 

 mottled and streaked with nearly black marks ; tail very 

 gray ; head black in front of crown ; black band across 

 breast ; throat and superciliary line white, belly whitish. 

 Length — 10.00. 



Adult ? — Duller, black band on breast indistinct. 



Breeding Range — Throughout the Eastern States, from Maine to 

 the Gulf of Mexico. 



Nest on the ground in open fields, grain fields, scrubby 

 places, and frequently along a roadside, near a stone wall or 

 fence. Usually the nest is open, but it is sometimes roughly 

 arched ; it is loosely made of grasses, leaves, weeds, and straw. 

 The eggs are white, more or less stained with light brown, vary- 

 ing in number from 10 to 18, though sometimes as many as 25 

 are laid (Davie). Size— 1.20 x .95. 



The Quail, Bob-white, or Partridge is so well known that 

 but little need here be said of it. Except during the breeding 

 season, the birds are always to be found in bevies, or they might 

 be called families, which, when scattered by the sportsman, re- 

 unite and continue living in or about the same locality. The 

 mating season begins very early in May, and eggs are to be found 

 from the third week in May until late in the summer, and rarely 



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