THE COMMON AMERICAN PARTRIDGE. 
59 
compact ; wings short, concave, rounded. Tail short, rounded, of twelve 
feathers. A bare space behind the eyes. Tongue triangular, fleshy; oeso- 
phagus with an ovate oblique crop on the fore part of the neck; stomach a 
very large and strong gizzard, broader than long, placed obliquely, with 
concave grinding surfaces ; intestine long and wide ; coeca large. 
THE COMMON AMERICAN PARTRIDGE. 
Ortix virginiana, Linn. 
PLATE CCLXXXIX. — Male, Female, and Young. 
The common name given to this bird in the Eastern and Middle Districts 
of our Union is that of Quail, but in the Western and Southern States, the 
more appropriate appellation of Partridge is bestowed upon it. It ip abun- 
dantly met with in all parts of the United States, but more especially 
towards the interior. In the States of Ohio and Kentucky, where they 
are very abundant, they are to .be seen in the markets, both dead and alive, 
in large quantities. 
This species performs occasional migrations from the north-west to the 
south-east, usually in the beginning of October, and somewhat in the manner 
of the Wild Turkey. For a few weeks at this season, the north-western 
shores of the Ohio are covered with flocks of Partridges. They ramble 
through the woods along the margin of the stream, and generally fly across 
towards evening. Like the Turkeys, many of the weaker Partridges often 
fall into the water, while thus attempting to cross, and generally perish: for 
although they swim surprisingly, they have not muscular power sufficient 
to keep up a protracted struggle, although when they have fallen within a 
few yards of the shore, they easily escape being drowned. As soon as the 
Partridges have crossed the principal streams in their way, they disperse in 
flocks over the country, and return to their ordinary mode of life. 
The flight of these birds is generally performed at a short distance from 
the ground. It is rapid, and is continued by numerous quick flaps of the 
wings for a certain distance, after which the bird sails until about to alight, 
when again it flaps its wings to break its descent. When chased by dogs, or 
started by any other enemy, they fly to the middle branches of trees of 
