30 
GROUSE FAMILY. 
New England, and as “Partridge” farther south. Bob-White is 
still a common bird in southern New England, though of some- 
what local distribution. It is rarely found north of Massachusetts, 
but a few scattered flocks are occasionally met with along the 
southern borders of the three northern States. 
In Canada it occurs only in the southern peninsula of Ontario 
nortli to Gravenhurst, and though quite common near London and 
Hamilton, is reported “rare ’’about Toronto and Lucknow. 
Note. — The Florida Bob-White (CoKnus virginianxts Jlori- 
datius) is a smaller race with darker colors and broader black mark- 
ings. It is found in the northern and middle regions of Florida. 
The Cuban Bob-White (C. virginm?ius cnbanensis) differs 
chiefly from the type in the markings of the plumage. It is 
restricted in the United States to the southwestern or tropical 
region of Florida. 
The Messina Quail {Coturnix cotufnLx) has been imported 
from Europe by hundreds during the last fifteen years and let loose 
in various parts of the country ; but though a few young and old 
birds appeared in the neighborhood for a year or two following 
their release, the effort to naturalize the species is considered a 
failure. In 1878 a number were released near St. Stephen, New 
Brunswick, and during the next three years I heard occasionally 
of small bevies being seen near the Bay of Fundy shore between 
St. Stephen and St. John, as well as in the Kennebecasis valley as 
far east as Sussex; but either the climate or the food was unsuited 
to them. 
RUFFED GROUSE. 
PHEASANT. PARTRIDGE. BIRCH PARTRIDGE. 
Bonasa umbellus. 
Char. Upper parts mottled brown and gray, with markings of black 
and dull white ; head with crest ; a “ ruff" of long black feathers on sides 
of neck; tail with broad sub-terminal band of black; under parts pale 
tawny, throat unmarked, breast and belly barred with brown ; legs com- 
pletely covered with feathers. Length 16 to 18 inches. 
Nesf. Amid a thicket or under cover of a bush, — usually on border of 
heavy timber; a mere cushion of leaves, grass, moss, etc. 
6-20 (usually 10 or 12); color varies from pale cream to dark 
buff 7 often marked with faint spots of brown ; 1.60 X I-IS- 
