586 SUPPLEMENT. 



usage he had received. When he hops among the high branches of 

 the oak and hickory, they become soft and musical. . . . The 

 power of mimicry possessed by the Jay, though different from, is 

 hardly surpassed by that of the Mocking-bird. It imitates the cry 

 of the Hawk so closely as to drive the small birds to cover, and 

 excite immediate consternation in the poultry-yard. An experienced 

 bird-fancier asserts that he has invariably found them more in- 

 genious, cunning, and teachable than any other species of bird he 

 has ever attempted to instruct. The Blue Jay appears to belong ex- 

 clusively to North America." 



Lophoktyx caltfornicus. California Quail. — This beautiful spe- 

 cies inhabits the valley portions and foot-hills of the Pacific States, 

 reaching southward to Cape St. Lucas. It is richly marked in 

 plumage, and has two pompon-like crests, jet black in color, which 

 stand erect upon the occiput. The female is similar, with a shorter 

 crest. It is called the Valley Quail in California, to distinguish 

 it from the Mountain Quail, its habits leading it more into the prai- 

 ries and low grounds near river banks. Dr. Newberry describes 

 its note as rather harsh and disagreeable, somewhat resembling that 

 of the Woodpeckers. As a game bird, it is regarded as inferior to 

 Bob-white. It is easily domesticated. 



Obttx VTBGiNiAiros. Bob-white, Quail, Partridge. — This most fa- 

 miliar bird is found in the Eastern United States, and as far west as 

 the high Central Plains, southward to Texas. In Maine, however, 

 it is a stranger, if, indeed, it is ever found there. In New Hamp- 

 shire and Vermont it is rare. The severity of the winters and much 

 hunting have very materially lessened its numbers in Massachusetts. 

 They are not migratory, but remain in the neighborhood where they 

 are reared. The severe winters affect them seriously at times, when, 

 during a fall of snow, they huddle together and allow themselves to 

 be buried for a -while. If the snow is light, they easily manage to 

 thrust through it, but they are occasionally kept fast by the freezing 

 of the surface, when they perish from hunger. They are sometimes 

 found in this position in large numbers. Bob-white is always found 

 in'open grounds, or nearly so, near the edge of woods. Its food con- 

 sists largely of the seeds of various plants, berries, etc. Later in 

 the season it feeds on grasshoppers. In country villages it often be- 

 comes quite tame, and ventures near the farm-yards to eat with the 

 poultry. In the Central Park, New York, it is frequently heard 

 uttering its peculiar note, Bob-white! Bob-white! In the interior 



