bobwhite

bobwhite (BOB-HWAIT, BOB-WAIT) - n., and of four species of American quail (genus Colinus), especially the northern bobwhite (C. virginianus) of eastern North America, having mottled reddish-brown plumage and a white face with a black stripe across the eye.


The masked bobwhite is on the trail, heigh ho! Despite being quail, they lack the topknot that most quail do, though some have something of a crest. The name, which can be dated to 1819, is onomatopoetic of its call, which equally stresses both notes. Said northern bobwhite:


Thanks, WikiMedia!

---L.