PARTRIDGE. 325 



have a mixture of white on each side of the neck backwards ; and 

 the black crescent on the fore part of the neck deeper, and darker 

 in colour; the legs are light brown. 



The female has much the same plumage as the male, but the 

 chin, the forehead, and streak over the eyes, are buff-coloured instead 

 of white. 



Inhabits America, from East Florida to as far north as Nova 

 Scotia, to which place it migrates in spring, and breeds all over the 

 middle Provinces in June, multiplying astonishingly; as it will 

 frequently lay as many as 25 eggs, which are white; the nest com- 

 posed of dried herbs and grass, on the ground, among tufts of long 

 grass or weeds. This bird is more often found in bushy places, and 

 hedges, than in the open fields ; and if disturbed, takes to the trees ; 

 returns south in autumn ; and is esteemed good eating. The note is 

 a kind of whistle, twice, quickly repeated. Known to the natives 

 by the name of Ho-ouy. The people of New England call it Bob- 

 White. It feeds on Indian corn and berries, and often on buck 

 wheat, and when fat is excellent meat. It may be supposed, that 

 the whole do not migrate, for Mr. Abbot found them at all seasons 

 in Georgia; and says, they are familiar birds, and not only form the 

 nest among the grass, of dried herbs, but will sometimes lay in an 

 old Hen's nest. The whole brood keep together through the winter, 

 until some time in the spring, when they separate into pairs. In 

 various parts of Canada they are so tame in winter, that flocks of 

 three or four dozens come into the farm yards for the loose grain, or 

 run before the traveller to pick it up from the horse dung on the road : 

 of late years they have been introduced into Jamaica, where they are 

 said to breed twice in a year. 



Kalm asserts, that this species is found in Sweden. The female 

 begins to make the nest the beginning of May, and in September 

 the buck wheat fields are found full of them : they are much sought 

 after, and killed with the gun, as well as caught in snares of various 

 kinds, for the sake of the flesh, which is white, tender, and delicate. 



