LOPHORTYX. 293 
Mexico young birds have been observed in the pine-forests at an elevation of between 
8000 and 9000 feet. The mating-season in North America commences, according to 
Bendire §, towards the end of February and the breeding-time about the first week in 
April or occasionally later. Taking up a position on some stump or branch, and standing 
perfectly erect with bill pointing straight upwards, wings drooped, and tail slightly 
spread, the male utters his loud call-note at intervals of a few minutes for half an hour 
or more at atime. ‘This he repeats several times a day, and his challenge is answered 
by any other male in the vicinity. During the breeding-season they fight constantly 
with one another, each defending his home against intrusion with great valour. 
During the intense heat of the summer months this species frequents the cool and 
shady spots at the bottom of the creeks, and frequently perches on trees, the majority 
roosting in them. ‘The nest is usually a slight hollow scratched in the ground lined 
with bits of dry leaves, and sheltered by dead grass. Occasionally it is placed above 
the ground on the top of a stump, while sometimes an old nest of some other bird is 
used. The eggs are normally ten to twelve, but much larger numbers are sometimes 
found, no doubt the produce of more than one hen. The ground-colour of the shell 
is creamy-white or pale buff, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown or dark brown. 
2. Lophortyx douglasi. 
Ortyx douglasi, Douglas, Trans. Linn. Soc. xvi. p. 145°. 
Callipeplu douglassii, Gambel, Journ. Ac. Philad. (n. s.) 1. p. 218 *, 
Lophortyx douglasi, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xxii. p. 404°; Handb. Game-Birds, 1. p. 126 *. 
Ortyx elegans, Lesson, Cent. Zool. p. 189, t. 61°. 
Callipepla elegans, Gould, Monogr. Odoutoph. t. 18°; Finsch, Abh. nat. Ver. Brem. il. p. 3577; 
Lawr. Mem. Bost. Soc. N. H. ii. p. 306°; Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. N. H. v. p. 33°. 
Ortyx spilogaster, Vigors, P. Z. 8. 1832, p. 4”. 
Callipepla elegans bensoni, Ridgw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus. x. p. 148°. 
Supra cinereus, dorsi plumis macula triangulari magna castanea terminaliter notatis ; scapularibus et secundariis 
intimis fere castaneis, late albo nigro, intus fimbriato marginatis; remigibus sepiariis ; dorso postico, 
uropygio et supracaudalibus olivascenti-brunneis, his minute albido irroratis; rectricibus cinereis; pilei 
plumis schistaceo-cinereis, rhachidibus nigris; crista elongata, rufa; facie laterali albida nigro lineata ; 
gula alba, nigro guttatim fasciata ; gutture imo et preepectore schistaceis, colli lateribus castaneo maculatis ; 
corpore reliquo subtus schistaceo, maculis albis nigro circumdatis ocellato ; hypochondriis late castaneo 
striatis, et maculis albis ocellatis; remigibus intus cineraceis. Long. tota circa 8°5, ale 4:5, caude 2°75, 
culm. 0:7, tarsi 1-1. 
Q. Brunnescentior, crista brunnea distinguenda; gutture albo, nigro punctato; corpore reliquo subtus 
cinerascenti-brunneo, maculis albis ocellato, hypochondriis late brunneo striatis. Long. tota circa 80, 
ale 4:3. (Deser. maris et femine ex San Blas. Mus. nostr.) 
Hab. Mexico? !°, Ysleta, Guadalupe, Quiriego, Sierra de Alamos (Lloyd *), Nacori, 
Sonora (Robinette ®), Campos (Benson ™), Mazatlan (Beechey!*, Gambel?, Gray- 
son? §), Presidio de Mazatlan (Forrer*), San Blas, Tepic (fichardson *), Jalisco 
and Colima (Grayson *). 
Douglas's Quail was first described from a female specimen obtained by Captain 
