FAMILY XVI. 
GALLINACEI, Ili-iger. 
GENUS XXXVII. — Z’MD/A', Beisson. 
SUBGENUS ORTTX, STEPHENS. 
190. FERDIX riRGINIANA, EATHAM AND WILSON. 
QUAIL, OR rAETaiDGE. 
'VlLBON, PLATE XLVU. FIQ. It. MALE. — EDINBUEOII COLLEGE MUSEC.M. 
This well knoivn bird is a general inhabitant of 
^’orth America, from the northern parte of Canada and 
^ova Scotia, in which latter place it is said to be 
’’UHTatory, to the extremity of the peninsula of Florida ; 
*iud was seen in the neighbourhood of the Great Osage 
yillagc, in the interior of Louisiana. They are numerous 
‘a Kentucky and Ohio; Mr Pennant remarks, that 
^kcy have been lately introduced into the island of 
Jamaica, where they appear to thrive greatly, breeding 
^ that warm climate twice in the year. Captain 
Henderson mentions them as being plenty near the 
^alize^ at the Bay of Itonduras. They rarely frequent 
’'he forest, and are mo.st mnnerous in the vicinity of 
5;ell cultivated plantations, nhere grain is in plenty, 
^hey, hoivever, oci^asionally seek shelter in the woods, 
perching on the branches, or secreting themselves among 
tile bru.s^wood; but are found most usually in open fields, 
er along fences sheltered by thickets of briers. Where 
they are not too much persecuted by the sportsmen, they 
become almost half domesticated ; approach the barn, 
particularly in winter, and sometimes, in that severe 
^ason, mix with the poultry to glean up a siibsisteiiw. 
They remain with us the whole year, and often sutler 
®xtremcly bv lonir, hard winters, and deep .snows. At 
auch times, the arts of man combine with the inclemency 
the season for their destruction. To the ravages of 
