LIBRARY OF Tin: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE. VOL. XXVIII. VALUABLE ME.MBEH ,)F «K,.,K,-V WHO. BV HIH Oa^VATKNO, UKSKAHC,,,*, AND EXPEKLMENT*, PKOCUKE. KXOWLElKiE Fill! .MEX. -/S.M1THSON. CITY OF WASHINGTON: PUBLISHED BY THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. 1 8 !) 2 . 7 ADVERTISEMENT. This volume forms the twenty-eighth of ;i series, composed of original memoirs on different branches of knowledge, published at the expense and under the direction of the Smithsonian Institution. The publication of this series forms part of a general plan adopted for carrying into effect the benevolent intentions of JAMES SMITHSON, Esq., of England. This gentleman left his prop- erty in trust to the United States of America, to found, at Washington, an institution which should bear his own name and have for its objects the " increase and diffusion of knowledge among men." This trust was accepted by the Gov- ernment of the United States, and an act of Congress was passed August 10, 1846, constituting the President and the other principal executive officers of the General Government, the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, the Mayor of Washington* (and such other persons as they might elect honorary members), an establishment under the name of the "SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION FOR THE INCREASE AND DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE AMONG MEN." The members and hon- orary members of this establishment are to hold stated and special meetings for the supervision of the affairs of the Institution and for the advice and instruction of a Board of Regents, to whom the financial and other affairs are intrusted. The Board of Regents consists of two members ex ojftcio of the establish- ment, namely, the Vice-President of the United States, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, together with twelve other members, three of whom are appointed by the Senate from its own body, three by the House of Representa- tives from its members, and six persons appointed by a joint resolution of both Houses. To this Board is given the power of electing a Secretary and other officers for conducting the active operations of the Institution. To carry into effect the purposes of the testator the plan of organization should evidently embrace two objects: one, the increase of knowledge by the addition of new truths to the existing stock; the other, the diffusion of knowl- edge, thus increased, among men. No restriction is made in favor of any kind of knowledge; and hence each branch is entitled to, and should receive, a share of attention. * This office has heeu abolished. rv \]>VI:KTI-KMEXT. The act of congress establishing tin- Institution directs, as a part of the plan of organization, the formation of a library, a museum, and a gallery of art, together with provisions for physical research and popular lectures, while it leaves to the Regents the power of adopting such other parts of an organization as they may deem best suited to promote the objects of the bequest. After much deliberation the Regents resolved to divide the animal income into two equal parts — one part to be devoted to the increase and diffusion of knowledge by means of original research and publications; the other half of the income to be applied in accordance with the requirements of the act of Congress to the gradual formation of a library, a museum, and a gallery of art. The following are the details of the parts of the general plan of organization provisionally adopted at the meeting of the Regents. December S, 1'<-l/ In/ nj/'t r/itf/ for original memoir* oit all suljirta of investigation. 1. The memoirs thus obtained to be published in a series of volumes in a quarto form and entitled "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge." '2. No memoir on subjects of physical science to be accepted for publica- tion which does not furnish a positive addition to human knowledge resting on original research; and all unverified speculations to lie rejected. 3. Each memoir presented to the Institution to be submitted for examina- tion to a commission of persons of reputation for learning in the branch to which the memoir pertains, and to be accepted for publication, only in case the report of this commission is favorable. 4. The commission to be chosen by the oflicers of the Institution, and the name of the author as far as practicable concealed, unless a favorable decision be made. f». The volumes of the memoirs to be exchanged for the transactions of literary and scientific societies, and copies to be giventoall the colleges and prin- cipal libraries in this country. One part of the remaining copies may be offered for sale; and the other carefully preserved, to form complete sets of the work, to supply the demand from new institutions. 6. An abstract, or popular account, of the contents of these memoirs to be given to the public through the annual report of the Regents to Congress. ADVERTISEMENT. II. To INCREASE KNOWLEDGE. — It is (I/HO jiro/to^etl to a/>/>roj>riF\T OF THE VXITF.D STATES, r.io PRESIDING OFFICER OF THE INSTITUTION. M ]•: L V I L L E W . FULLER, I'lllEF jrSTICE OF THE 77. 8. SUPREME COURT, CHANCELLOR OF THE INSTITUTION. SAMUEL P. LANGLEY, SECRETARY OP THE INSTITUTION. G. BROWN GO ODE, ASSISTANT SECRETARY. JAMES C. WELLING, ) HENRY COP P E E , EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. JOHN B. HENDERSON, ) IX MEMBERS EX-OFFFCIO OF THE INSTITUTION. BENJAMIN HARRISON /Vrx/Wr/// tiffin- ruifi-il LEVI P. MORTON . Vicf-I'rf*i/t of tin1 I'tutcd Stuff*. . MKLVILLE W. FULLER Chief Justice of the 1'i/iffil stuff*. JAMES G. BLAINE Secretary of State. CHARLES FOSTER Si'cn-tnri/ nftJte Trcaxm-ji. STEPHEN B. KLKINS Svcretun/ <>f \Vrtit-i/-Grit<-r(il. W. E. SIMONDS CoinmixxitHtc.r of Patents. REGENTS. MELVILLE W. FULLER .... Chief Justice of the United States. LEVI P. MORTON Vice-President of the United States. J. S. MORRILL Member of the Senate of the United States. RANDALL LEE GIBSON .... Member of the Senate of the United States. S. M. CULLOM Member of the Senate of the United States. JOSEPH WHEELER Member of the House of Representatives U.S. II. CABOT LODGE Member of the House of Representatives U. S. W. C. P. BRECKINRIDGE . . . Member of the House of Representatives U.S. HENRY COPPEE Citizen of Pennsylvania. J. B. ANGELL Citizen of Michigan. ANDREW I). WHITE Citizen of New York. WILLIAM PRESTON JOHNSTON . . Citizen of Louisiana. JAMES C. WELLING Citizen of Washington, D. C. J. B. HENDERSON Citizen of Washington, 1). C. SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE. -840- LIFE HISTORIES ov NOETH AMERICAN BIRDS WITH SPECIAL KEFEKENCE TO THEIR BREEDING HABITS AND EGGS, WITH TWELVE LITHOGRAPHIC PLATES. CHARLES liKNDlllE, CAPTAIN, U. S. ARMY (RETIRED), Honorary Curator of the Department of Oiiloyy, U. S. National Museum, Member of the American Ornithologists' Union. fairiV8E?i;r7] r>. ^IFOl WASHINGTON: GOVEUNMENT PRINTING OFFICE. 18»2. COMMISSION TO WHOM THIS MUM01K HAS IIKKX KKFK1WKI). K X. LAWUKJNVK, WILLIAM BUKWSTKH. ADVERTISEMENT. The following memoir by Capt. Charles Bendire having been published at the joint expense of the Smithsonian fund and of the printing appropriation of the II. S. National Museum, two separate editions are issued, one forming a portion of the series of "Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge," and the other appearing as a Special Bulletin of the U. S. National Museum. In accordance with the rule adopted by the Smithsonian Institution, the Avork has been submitted for examination to a commission consisting of Messrs. George N. Lawrence and William Brewster. The memoir, having been reconf- meiided for publication by these gentlemen, is herewith presented as a work of original research, illustrating more particularly the oology and breeding habits of North American birds. S. P. LANGLKY, Secretary. I SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION, Washington, Mat/, 1W)2. in TABLE OF CONTENTS. GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Family TETHAOXIIXE. Grouse, Partridges, etc. Page. 1. Colinns virginianus Bob White (PI. I, Fig. 1) 1 2. Coliuns virgiuiann.s tloridanus Florida Bob White 7 3. Col in us virginianus toxauus Texan Bob White 8 4. Colinns virginianus eubanensis Cuban Bob White 9 5. Colinus ridgwayi Masked Bob White 10 K. Oreortyx pictus Mountain Partridge 13 7. I Ireortyx pict us plumiferiis Plumed Partridge (PI. I, Figs. 2, 3) 14 8. Oreortyx pictus contiuis San Pedro Partridge 17 9. Callipepla squamata Scaled Partridge (PI. I, Figs. 4, 5) 18 10. Callipepla squainata castanogastris Chestnut-bellied Scaled Partridge (PI. I, Figg. 6,7) 22 11. Callipepla calit'ornica California Partridge (PI. I, Figs. 8-10) 23 12. Callipepla ealiforuica vallicola Valley Partridge : 26 13. Callipepla gambeli Gambel's Partridge (PI. I, Figs. 11-14) 29 14. Cyrtonyx nioutezuiiui) Massena Partridge (PI. I, Fig. 15) 35 15. Peiidragapus obscurus Dusky Grouse 41 16. Pendragapus obscurus fnliginosus Sooty Grouse (PI. I, Figs. 16-19) 43 17. Pendragapus obscurns richardsonii Richardson's Grouse 50 18. Peiidragapus eanadeusis Canada Grouse (I'l. I, Figs. 20-23) 51 19. Pendragapus franklinii Franklin's Grouse 56 20. Bonasa umbellus Rafted Grouse (PI. II, Fig. 1) 59 21. Bouasa nmbelliis togata Canadian Rult'ed (i rouse (PI. II, Fig. 2) 64 22. Bouasa umbellus nmbelloides Gray Ruffed Grouse (PI. II, Fig. 3) ti7 23. Bonasa nmbelliis sab in i Oregon Rutted Grouse (PI. II, Fig. 4) 68 21. Lagopus lagopus Willow Ptarmigan (PI. II, Figs. 5-10) 69 25. ,agopus lagopus alleni Allen's Ptarmigan 75 26. .agopus rupestris Uock Ptarmigan (PI. II, Figs. 11-15) 75 27. .agopus rupestris reinhardti Reinha nit's Ptarmigan 78 2,S. ,agopus rupestris nelson i Nelson's Ptarmigan 80 29. jagopus rupcstrisatkliensis Turner'.* Ptarmigan 81 HO. .agopus welchi Welch's Ptarmigan 82 31. Lagopus leucurus White-tailed Ptarmigan (PI. II, Figs. Ifi, 17) 83 32. Tympanuchiis americanus Prairie Hen (PI. II, Figs. 18-20) 88 :i:i. Tympanuchns .rupido Heath Hen (PI. III. Fig. 2) . Pedioo.-ctes phasianeUns Columbia nus Columbian Sliarp-tuiled Grouse (PI. Ill, Figs. 6-8 > 98 37. Pediocictcsphasianellus campcstris Prairie Sharp-tailed Grouse (PI. Ill, Figs. 9, 10) 101 38. Centroueruus nrophasianus Sage Grouse (PI. Ill, Figs 11-13) 106 Family PIIASIAXIIM:. Pheasants, eic. 39. Meleagrisgallopavo Turkey (PI. Ill, Fig. 14) 112 II). Meleagrisgallopavo mexicana Mexican Turkey (PI. Ill, Fig. 15) 116 Family CHA< in .!•:. Curassows and Gunns. 41. Ortalis vetula maccalli Chachalnca (PI. Ill, Fig. Itj) 119 VI TABLE OF CONTENTS. PIGEONS OR DOVKS. Family ('OI.VMUID.K. Pigeons. Page. 42. Columba fascfata Band-tailed Pigeon (PI. Ill, Fig. 17) ... 43. Colmiiha t'asciata viosca- Yiosca's Pigeon (PI. Ill, Fig. 18) 44. Columba tlavirostris Red-billed Pigeon (PI. IV, Fig. 1') 45. Columba leucocephala White-crowned Pigeon (PI. IV, Fig. -I ) 131 46. Ectopistes migratorius Passenger Pigeon i PI. IV, Fig. ti) ... 47. Zenaidura macron ra Mourning Dove (PI. IV. Figs. 8, 9) 1311 48. Zenaida /.cuaida Xenaida Dove (PI. II, Fig. 21 I.. 49. Engyptila alliifrons White-fronted Dove (PI. II. Fig. 22) Ml 50. Melopclia leucoptera Whitt-w ingcd Dove (PI. II, Fig. 23) .. 51. Columbigalliua passerina Ground Dove .. 52. Columbigallina passeriiia pallesceus Mexican (Jromid Dove (PI. II, Fig. 2-1) .. 53. Scardafellainca Inca Dove (PI. II, Fig. 25).. 54. Geotrygon niartiiiica Key West Quail-] >ovc . . 55. Geotrygon moiitaua Ruddy Quail-Dove (PI. II, Fig. 20) '•">! 56. Starncenas cyanocephala Blue-headed Quail- Dove l.r>0 BIRDS OF PRKY. Family CATIIAKTUX&:. American Vultures. 57. Pseudogryphus call Corn iauus California Vulture (PI. I V, Fig. .">) l.r>7 58. Calhurtesaura Turkey Vulture (PI. IV. Figs. 1, 3) 101 59. Catharista atrata Black Vulture (PI. IV, Figs. 7, 10) 105 Family FALCONII) K. Vultures, Falcons, Hawks, Eagles, etc. 60. Elanoides forficatus Swallow-tailed Kite (PI. V. Figs. 1,2) 108 61. Elanus leucurus White-tailed Kite (PI. V, Figs. 3,4) 173 62. Ictinia mississippiensis Mississippi Kite (PI. V, Fig. 5) 177 63. Rostrhamus sociabilis Everglade Kite (PI. V, Figs, (i, 7) ISO 64. Circus hncUonius Marsh Hawk (PI. V, Figs. 8-10) 1*3 65. Accipiter velox Sharp-shinned Hawk (PI. V, Fi.ns. 11-17) isti 66. Accipiter cooperi Cooper's Hawk (PI. V, Figs. 18-20) ML' 67. Aecipiter atricapillus American Coshawk (PI. VI, Fig. 1) l!Mi 68. Aecipiter atricapillus striatnlns Western Goshawk (PI. VI, Fig. 2) l!i!' 69. Parabuteo unicinctus harrisi Harris's llavvk (PI. VI, Figs. 3,4) 202 70. Buteo buteo European Buzzard 205 71. Buteo borealis ' Red-tailed Hawk (PI. VI. Figs. 5. (i) 206 72. Buteo borealis kridcrii Kridei's Hawk 212 73. Buteo boreal is calunis Western Red-tail (PI. VI, Figs. 7.X) 213 74. Buteo borealis liicasauus Saiut Lucas Red-tail 217 75. Buteo borealis harlani Harlan's Hawk '-'17 7f.. Mutco lineatus Red-shouldered Hawk (PI. VII. Figs. 1 f. ) 2111 77. Buteo lineatus alien i Florida Red -shouldered Hawk 2L'I IX. Buteo lineatus elcgans Red-bellied Hawk (PI. VI, I 'ig.il) 226 7i>. Buteo iibbreviatiis Zone-tailed Hawk (PI. VII, Fig. 6) 22S 80. Buteo albicaudat us White-tailed Hawk (PI. VII. Figs. .s. Hi 231 81. Buteo swainsoni Swaiuson's Hawk i PI. \ III. Figs. 1-6) L'3li 82. Buteo latissimus Mroad-winged Hawk ( PI. VII. Figs. ]O-i:ij 211 83. Buteo braehyurus Short-tailed Hawk (PI. VIII, Fig. 7) I'll) HI. Trubitiuga anthraciiia Mexican Black Hawk (PI. VIII. Figs. X, !)) LMs H.ri. Asturina plagiata Mexican Goshawk (PI. VII, Fig. 7) 2.">1 8»i. Arch Unit co lagoptiH Rough-legged Hawk L'.V) 87. Archibuteo lagojuis saiieli-joliaiiuis \iueiicauRougli-lcggedHa\vk (PI. VIII, Figs, 10-12)... 25(i 88. Archibuteo l'i nugincus Ferruginous Rough-leg (PI. IX, Figs. 1, 2. I ) 2."i!i 89. A(|iiila chrysaetos Golden Eagle (PI. IX, Figs. 3. r.i 263 90. Thrasae'tiiH harpy ia Harpy Eagle 270 91. Halia-ctus alliicilla Gray Sea Eagle 272 92. Halueetiis leucocephalus Bald Eagle (PI. IX, Fig. 7) 27 1 93. Faleo islandus Whili- Gyrfaleon 281 !)4. Faleo rusticolus Gray Gyrialeim 283 95. Faleo rusticolna gyrfalco (iyrfahim (PI. IX, Figs. 6, 8, SI) 2S3 TABLE OF CONTENTS. Vtl Page. KG. Falco riistieolus obsoletns Black Gyrfalcon (PI. X, Fig. 1) 280 !)7. Falco mexicaniis Prairie, Fuli-oii (I'l. X, Figs. a, 3) 9S. Falco pcregrinus aiiatuni I>uc-k Hawk (I'l. X, Figs. 5-7) ; JHI. Falco peregnims pcalei Pealc's Falcon . 100. Falco colnmbariiis Pigeon I lawk (1'l.X, Figs. I, X} .. 298 101. Faleo columbarins sucklcyi Black Merlin . 302 1(12. Falro ricliardsonii Richardson's Merlin . 303 103. Falro nonius Merlin :!OI 101. Falco fnsco-cn-mlesi-ens Aplomado Fall-on (I'l. X, Figs. !>, 10) 3 105. Falco tiniiuncnliiH Kestrel 308 106. Falco sparverins American Sparrow Hawk (I'l. X. Figs. 11-16) -- 309 107. Falco dominiccnsis Cuban Sparrow Hawk 311 108. I'olvborns i-ln-riway Aniluboii's Caracara (I'l. XI, Figs. 1-1) 315 109. PolyhoriisluroMiis (Jnailalri|>i- ( .'ar.-n-ara 318 110. Panilion haliaetiis carolincnsis Ami'rican Osprcy (PI. X, Fig. 17; PI. XI, Figs. 5-!l) 320 Family STIMIIID.!-:. liarn Owls. 111. Slrix pratincola American Bam Owl (I'l. XII. Fig. 1) 325 Family llmo.NID.K. llornotl Owls, Hi'. 112. Asio wilsonianns American Long-eared Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 2) 328 113. Asio aeeipitriiius Short-eared Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 3) 332 111. Syrniiim nebnlosum Harreil Owl (PI. XII, Fig. -1) 335 115. Syrniiim iicbnlosiimaHeiti Florida Harreil Owl 333 116. Syrniuui oceidentale Spotted Owl 349 117. Scotiuptexcinerea Great Gray Owl (I'l. XII, Fig. 5) 345 118. Scotiaptex einerea lapponica Lapp Owl 346 119. Nyetala tengmaluii rieliardsoni Richardson's Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 6) 347 120. Nyetala acadica Saw-whet Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 7) 350 121. Megascops agio Screech Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 8) 354 122. MegJiscops asio tloridanus Florida Screech Owl 358 123. Megascops asio mccallii Texan Screech Owl 360 124. Megascops asio bendirei California Screech Owl 361 125. Megascops asio kemiicottii Kennicott'.s Screech Owl 363 126. Megascops asio maxwelli:e Kocky Mountain Screech Owl (I'l. XII, Fig. 10) 363 127. Megascops asio trichopsis Mexican Screech Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 11) 368 128. Megascops asio aikeni Aiken's Screech Owl 370 129. Megascops asio inacfarlnnei MacFarlaue's Screech Owl (I'l. XII, Fig. 9) 371 130. Megascops asio saturatus 1'uget Sound Screech Owl 373 131. Megascops (lammeolus Flammulated Screech Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 15) 374 132. Megascops tlammeolus idahoensis Dwarf Screech Owl 376 133. Bubo virginiauns Great Horned Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 12) 376 134. Bubo virginiauus subarcticus Western Horned Owl 383 135. I'.nbo virginianns arctieus Arctic Horned Owl 386 136. Bubo virginiauus saturatus Dusky Horned Owl 387 137. Nyctea nyctea Snowy Owl (PI. XII. Fig. 19) 389 138. Siirnia nlula Hawk Owl 392 139. Snrnia nlnla eaparoch American Hawk Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 18) 393 140. Speotyto cnnicularia hypogiea Burrowing Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 14) 395 141. Speotyto cnnicularia tloridana Florida Burrowing Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 16) 400 112. (ilaucidi inn gnoma Pygmy Owl 403 113. Glaucidium gnoma californicum California Pygmy Owl 407 111. Glancidium gnoma hoskinsii Hoskiu's Pygmy Owl 408 145. (ilaucidium phahenoides Ferruginous Pygmy Owl (I'l. XII, Fig. 17) 409 146. Mieropallas whitueyi Elf Owl (PI. XII, Fig. 13) 411 (WIVEESITY INTRODUCTION This work ou the Life Histories of North American Birds is based largely upon the collections in the U. S. National Museum. It was the wish of the late Prof. Spencer F. Baird that a comprehensive work on this subject should be published, bringing together the great advances in our knowledge made during the past few years. This wish was also shared by Prof. Langley and Dr. Goode, and with their concurrence the present work has been written. Since the publication by the Smithsonian Institution in 1857 of an initial volume on North American Oology, by the late Dr. T. M. Brewer — which work was not finished owing to lack of material — and of Baird, Brewer and Ridgway's " History of North American Birds'" in 1874, no systematic and comprehensive work on the oology of this country lias appeared. Large collections have been- brought together during the last three decades, and great advances, only rendered possible by the more general interest that the subject has attracted, have been made. It is not intended that this work shall consist merely of descriptions ol nests and eggs. Special attention lias been given to the life history, the migratory and breeding ranges, and food of each species. In this connection the latest information, including the field notes made by myself and others and hitherto unpublished, has been freely used. Although involving considerably more labor and a certain amount of repeti- tion, I treat each species and subspecies separately, and endeavor to define the "breeding range" of each as accurately as possible. This method is to some extent open to criticism, and especially so where a species is divided into several geographical races between the boundaries of whose ranges a neutral zone exists in which they intergrade. On account of the limited knowledge we possess of many of our birds, I am well aware that the information given under this head is more or less imperfect, but this is irremediable in many instances at present. The present volume relates only to land birds. The classification given in the Code and Check List of the American Ornithologists' Union has been followed, and the synonymy and nomenclature used in this list have also been adopted, with the emendations that have been made up to date. IX X INTRODUCTION. When it is not expressly stilted to the contrary, the type specimens figured have been presented to the U. S. National Museum collection l>y the gentlemen whose names are given. Without mentioning each by name, my thanks are due to the manv friends whose assistance has so greatlv aided me in the preparation of this volume and added to its completeness, and whose cooperation will, I hope, be continued until the work is finished. The original water-color drawings from which the plates have been repro- duced were made by Mr. John L. Kidgwav, of Washington, 1). (/., to whose skill and painstaking care the excellence of the illustrations is largely due. The chromolithographic reproductions of these plates were made by the Ket- terlinus Printing Company, of Philadelphia, Pa., and it gives me pleasure to sav that they are as faithful copies of the original drawings as it is possible to make. THE AUTHOR. "OF THP, ^^ [UH1VBRSIT7] LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. By CHARLES BENDIRB, Captain U. S. Army (retired'). GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. Family TETRAONID^E. GKOUSE, PARTEIDGES, ETC. i. Colinus virginianus (LiNN^us). BOB WHITE. Til mo virginianus LINN^US, Systema Naturae, ed. 10, 1, 1758, 161. Colinus virginianus STEJNEGER, Auk, n, January 1885, 45. (B 471, C 389, E 480, C 571, U 289.) GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE : Eastern United States and southern Ontario, Canada , west to eastern Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas, Indian Territory, and eastern Texas ; .south to Georgia, Alabama, and other Gulf States. This species, one of the most widely distributed of our game birds, is better known throughout the Northern and Middle States as the Quail, and under the name of Partridge or Virginia Partridge in the South. It is found everywhere, more or less abundantly in suitable localities within the United States, east of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, excepting in Florida, where it is replaced by the Florida Bob White, and in the northern portions of the New England States. In these, north of Massachusetts, it is rare, but occurs occasionally in the southern portions of Vermont and New Hampshire, and less frequently in Maine. In northern New York it is very rare. West of the Mis- sissippi it occurs in Louisiana, eastern Texas, the eastern part of the Indian Territory, Arkansas, Missouri, Kansas, and the greater portion of Nebraska, where it has advanced beyond the central part of the State. Mr. W. M. Wolfe, of Kearney, Nebraska, informs me that the Bob Whites are becoming more and more abundant, and are now common as far west as ( )gallala. Dr. T. E. Wilcox, surgeon U. S. Army, writes me to the same effect from Fort Niobrara, Nebraska, saying it is steadily advancing westward and is now to be found 30 miles west of this post. It is also gradually advancing northward. Mr. W. W. Cooke states that in Minnesota it has followed up the settle- ments, and in the eastern part of the State has reached the line of the Northern 26957— Bull. 1 1 i 2 LIFE HISTORIES OF NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. Pacific Railroad, about latitude 46° ; also that m South Dakota it is abundant, and has advanced to latitude 44° 30'. 1 North of the United States Mr. T. Mclhvraith gives it as a permanent resi- dent in southern Ontario, Canada.2 At the present time the Bob Whites are most abundant in the Central and some of the Southern States. They have also been successfully introduced in various localities in the West. According to information received from Mr. Denis Gale, of Gold Hill, Boulder County, Colorado, it is now well established along the South Platte River and its tributaries in the vicinity of Denver, Colo- rado, and is known to occur also in portions of northern New Mexico. As early as 1872 Prof. J. A. Allen stated in the American Naturalist that these birds had recently been introduced in the Great Salt Lake Valley, Utah, and that in the summer of 1871 young had been raised and gave promise of multiplying rapidly and becoming thoroughly naturalized. At the present time they are common in various parts of Utah, and Professor Allen's predictions have been fully verified. According to Mr. H. K. Taylor the Bob Whites are quite abundant about Gilroy, California.3 In the vicinity of Bois^ City, Idaho, a few pairs were turned out some time in 1875. In the fall of 1878 I found them abundant between that point and Snake River, all along the Boisd River, and in 1882 they had spread to the west side of Snake River, fully 50 miles from where they were first liber- ated. Dr. T. E. Wilcox, U. S. Army, who first noticed them there, says, "I never saw coveys so large and numerous as I found them about Boise". Cover and food, as well as climate, are all favorable."4 They are also quite abundant now in portions of the Willamette Valley, Oregon, as well as on several islands in Puget Sound, Washington. In fact, they are well adapted for introduction into any country where the climate is not too severe in winter, and where suitable food and shelter are to be found, they seem to thrive and adapt themselves to the surroundings. Excepting, perhaps, in its extreme northern range, the Bob Whites are residents, and breed wherever found. They are partial to more or less open country. Fields and pastures, interspersed with small bodies of woodland, country roads, bordered by brush and briar patches, as well as the edges of meadow and lowlands, are its favorite abiding places. In southern Louisiana they are very partial to the borders of hammock land and open pine woods. They are never found in large packs; each covey generally keeps to itself, and rarely moves far from the place where it was raised. The mating season commences in April, when the coveys or such portions of them remaining begin to break up, each pair selecting a suitable nesting site. Nidification begins usually about May 1; in the Southern States somewhat earlier, and in 1 Report on Bird Migration of the Mississippi Valley, Bull, n, U. 8. Dept. of Agric., Div. Economic Ornith., p. 102. 3 Birds of Ontario, pp. 140, 141. 9 Ornithologist and Oologist, Vol. iv, 1889, p. 93.