BIRDS 287 



in this pxoup. It ranges from Kansas, Indian Territory, 

 and Texas to the Atlantic coast, and from the Gulf to 

 Canada. They are usually found in flocks called "coveys." 

 Their favorite nesting places are in the corners of fences, 

 among the weeds in cultivated fields, and at the bases 

 of stumps on the ground. The quaU lays from twelve 

 to twenty-five eggs. The ruffed grouse, or partridge, is 

 common in the eastern United States. The male, standing 

 on a log in the mating season, makes a well-known drum- 

 ming sound by beating his body with his wings. Other 

 birds belonging to this group are the ptarmigans, pheasants, 

 prairie hens, etc. The bills of the members of this group 

 are short and stout, and the feet, in most of them, are 

 fitted for scratching. 



Doves and pigeons. — The doves and pigeons are rapid 

 flyers. The toes, which are fitted for grasping and perch- 

 ing, are usually on the same level. The base of the bill is 

 covered by a soft membrane beneath which the nostrils 

 open. They frequent cultivated ground in flocks in search 

 of grains and seeds. The mourning or turtle dove is found 

 all over temperate North America. 



Woodpeckers. — They have strong, sharp bills for drill- 

 ing holes in wood. The tail feathers, which are stiff and 

 sharp, aid in supporting the body of the bird when perched 

 on the upright trunk of a tree. The feet have two toes 

 pointing backward and two forward, an arrangement that 

 also aids the bird in perching on a perpendicular surface. 

 The red-headed woodpecker is abundant in the central 

 United States. It excavates holes in trees, telegraph poles, 

 etc., in which to build its nests. There are several species 

 of woodpeckers in the United States. Some of them do 

 much good by destroying the larvffi of insects that bore 



