64 
THE COMMON AMERICAN PARTRIDGE. 
Owing, however, to the small space in which they were confined, none of 
the young were finally raised. These experiments, however, as far as they 
went, convinced us that this species may be easily domesticated, and that if 
they are preserved from being molested by cats and other enemies, they may 
be kept in enclosures and multiplied to a considerable extent.” 
The eggs measure an inch and a quarter in length, seven and a half eighths 
in breadth, and taper to a small rounded point. 
Quail or Partridge, Perdix virginiana , Wils. Amer. Orn., vol. vi. p. 21. 
Perdix Virginiana, Bonap. Syn., p. 124. 
American Partridge or Quail, Nutt. Man., vol. i. p. 64'7. 
Virginian Partridge, Perdix virginiana , Aud. Orn.Biog.,vol. i. p. 388 ; vol. v.p. 564, 
Male, 10, 15. Female, 9|, 14. 
Breeds abundantly from Texas to Massachusetts ; in the interior, high on 
the Missouri, and in all intermediate districts. 
Adult Male. 
Bill short, robust, rather obtuse, the base covered by feathers ; upper 
mandible with the dorsal outline curved, the sides convex, the edges over- 
lapping, the tip declinate ; under mandible nearly straight in its dorsal 
outline, arched on the edges, the sides convex. Nostrils concealed among 
the feathers. Head and neck of ordinary size. Body short and bulky, 
Feet of ordinary length; tarsus anteriorly scutellate, a little compressed, 
spurless ; toes scutellate above, pectinate on the sides ; claws arched, obtuse. 
Plumage compact, glossy. Feathers of the upper part of the head erectile 
into a tuft. Wings short, broad, much curved and rounded, the fourth quill 
longest. Tail short, rounded, of twelve rounded feathers. 
Bill dark brown. Iris hazel. Feet greyish-blue. The forehead, abroad 
line over each eye, and the throat and fore-neck, white. Lore, auricular 
coverts, and a broad irregular semilunar band on the fore-neck, more or less 
black. Upper part of the head, hind and lower part of the neck all round, 
reddish-brown. Upper back and wing-coverts bright brownish-red ; the 
lower part of the back light red, tinged with yellow. Primaries dusky, 
externally margined with blue ; secondaries irregularly bared with light 
red. Tail greyish-blue, excepting the middle feathers, which are dull 
greyish-yellow, sprinkled with black. Sides of the neck spotted with 
white. Under parts white, streaked with brownish-red, transversely and 
undulatingly barred with black. Sides and under tail-coverts reddish. 
Length 10 inches, extent of wings 15 ; bill along the back -J-, along the 
gap t 7 3 ; tarsus i, middle toe nearly the same. 
Young Male. 
