ORTYx virginiana: the quail, or bob white. 157 



in numberless insects during a part of the year, and in 

 various leaves and buds at another, life may be quite 

 worth living for these brave, self-reliant and judicious 

 creatures. Let us imagine them to be resigned to the 

 inevitable having to live, even though they be neither 

 contented nor happy ; and as finding in that necessity 

 the logical refuge from the doubt raised by many half- 

 fledged philosophers whether life be worth living. 



THE AMERICAN PARTRIDGE, QUAIL, OR 

 BOB-WHITE. 



Ortyx virginiana (L.) Bp. 



Chars. Tarsi and nasal fossae naked. A small erectable crest on 

 the head. No peculiar feathers on side of neck. Throat of 

 male white, of female tawny. Upper parts blended brownish- 

 red and gray ; lower parts whitish, with many sharp dark marks, 

 especially on the breast and about the white on the throat. 

 Length about 9.00 ; extent, 14.50 ; wing, 4.50 : tail, 2.75. 



The well-known and abundant Bob-white, called "Quail," 

 in New England, where the Ruffed Grouse is called " Par- 

 tridge," and named " Partridge " further south, wherever 

 the Ruffed Grouse is called " Pheasant," — this paragon 

 of good qualities, from the sportsman's standpoint, has 

 been ascribed in general terms to all New England, as 

 by Dr. Brewer for example, but certainly upon hasty 

 conclusions. Though, owing to its habit of colonizing 

 particular spots beyond its general range, and to some 

 extent to its habit of moving back and forth from caprice 

 or according to vicissitudes of the weather, it is diffi- 

 cult to trace the exact limit of its northward dispersion. 



