48 



QUAIL OR BOBWHITE. 



( Ortyx Virginiana. ) 

 In the latter part of spring or early summer you may 



hear bobwhite uttered from the direction of some wheat 

 field. This is our American Quail or Partridge. It is 

 a beautiful little bird. Plumage bright reddish brown 

 above and light below, bill short and thick, feet small 

 and suited to scratching and running, which they do 

 most of the time. Their note is a sort of a whistle, re- 

 sembling the syllable above given, which may be heard 

 most any time during the summer season. These birds 

 are very good for food, and are much sought after. 

 They are called by different names, according to the 

 country they are in. The nest is placed on the ground 

 in a secure place, and is composed of grass and leaves. 

 The eggs number from ten to eighteen, pointed at one 

 end, pure white when fresh but soon get soiled from 

 contact with the ground. The young brood run with 

 the parents as soon as hatched, like little chickens. 



greenIieron. 



{Butorides Virescens.) 

 This bird is better known by a disgusting name 

 which is commonly given it. It resides with us through 

 the summer, living near large ponds or creeks, where 

 it subsists on the fish and other aquatic animals and 

 insects, which it secures with its long bill. The legs 

 are long and fitted for wading. Plumage is a beautiful 

 olive green above mixed with brown, and light below 

 speckled with dark on the breast. When startled it 

 utters a peculiar cry and alights on a near object. Nest 

 placed in a tall tree, composed of coarse sticks, four 

 eggs of a uniform pale blue. 



