101 
THE VIRGINIAN QUAIL OR PARTRIDGE. 
Ortyx Vlrgmianus. — .Bonaparte. 
PLATE X. 
Quail nr Partridge, Ferdix VirgilWRmr% IV Ison's American 
Oi nilhnloffff, pi. xlvii — Pentix horenlis, Pig. et 
Gatlin*— Ortyjt boroiilis, Stephens, Continuaihn. — Ortyx 
Virginiaruis, Bonaparte, Synopsis, p. 124. 
Tife genus Ortyx was formed Iiy Stephens, tlie 
comiiumtor of SJmw’s General Zoology, for the re- 
ception of the thick and strong- hilled partridges of 
the new world. They hold the same place there 
with the line partridges fnmenlins, ami quails of 
the other parts of the globe, living on the borders of 
woods, among brushwood, or in the thick grassy 
plains, and oee ; Lsionally frequenting cultivated fields 
in search of grain or roots. During night they ge- 
nerally roost on tiees, and occasionally perch on them 
by clay, particularly when alarmed, when they im- 
mediately take refuge, and even walk with ease up- 
on the branches. Their general shape is robust, the 
hill is strong, and apparently fitted for a inode of 
feeding requiring considerable strength, such as the 
digging up of hulhous or tuberous roots. The co- 
lours of the plumage are generally different shades 
