BIRDS OF PENNSYLVANIA 
105 
in trees. According to my observations, they do not, as a rule, attempt to hide as 
the Grouse does, in the thick foliage, but perch on a limb— frequently like the 
Grouse, on the opposite side of the tree from which they entered — mostly near the 
body of the tree, and squat close to the bark. In the summer, when the wife is en- 
gaged with her domestic duties, it is not uncommon to see Mr. Quail perched 
in an upright position on a fence, uttering his shrill and pleasing whistle that 
has given rise to the vernacular and appropriate name. Bob- white. In Grouse there is 
but little difference in the sexes, though the female, usually a little smaller, has the 
neck-tufts, less developed, and duller in color. The male Quail has line over eye and 
throat patch white ; the female has these parts buff or yellowish, but otherwise is 
similar to male. 
Genus COLINUS Lesson. 
Colinus virginianus (Linn.). 
Bob-white ; Quail ; Partridge. 
Description {Plate 12). 
Feathers of crown lengthened and erectile, but not forming a crest as in the 
pheasant. Forehead, streak over eye and throat patch (white in male, buff in fe- 
male) light colored, and in male particularly, bordered with black ; neck all round 
reddish-brown varied with black and white, the latter especially showy on back Of 
neck ; rest of upper parts reddish-brown varied with black, white, gray and pale 
buff; tail mostly bluish-gray; under parts whitish, with reddish-brown sides 
streaked irregularly with black. Length about 10| inches ; extent about 15. 
Habitat . — Eastern United States and southern Canada from southern Maine to the 
south Atlantic and gulf States ; west to Dakota, eastern Kansas and eastern Texas. 
This species is found in Pennsylvania at all seasons, yet I am fully 
convinced that many of those that breed here migrate in the autumn 
southward. During the fall, and particularly in the month of October, 
I have observed flocks, consisting of several families and numbering 
from sixty to a hundred or more individuals engaged in such rnigrations. 
Partridges at all seasons other than when breeding are seen in flocks. 
When not migrating we find them in flocks of twelve to fifteen each, 
frequenting fields and swamps usually near the borders of woods or 
thickets, to which they speedily repair when disturbed. Early in April 
these birds pair and about the first of May commence nesting. The 
nest is always placed on the ground, generally in a slight hollow, and is 
constructed chiefly of small twigs and grasses. The nest is usually placed 
in a grass field, concealed by a high tuft of grass or protected by a thick 
overhanging bush. The eggs are white, pear-shaped, and although 
variable, generally number about fifteen. The birds are mainly terres- 
trial in habits. In the autumn and winter, when continually pursued 
by sportsmen and dogs, they oftentimes, when flushed, seek refuge in 
trees ; they usually alight on a large limb close to the main trunk and 
crouch so close that not unfrequently they escape the notice of the 
eager hunter. A gentleman of my acquaintance some years ago while 
out hunting pheasants noticed a slight movement among some dead 
