314 [April, 



COLUMBA. 



107. C. fasciata. Common in the mountains during the months of Septem- 

 ber and October, when they feed upon acorns ; very shy ; a few breed near the 

 old copper mines near Fort Webster. The writer has met this species on the 

 Mimbres in June, feeding on the berries of the wild currant. 



ECTOPISTES. 



10S. E. Carolinensis. Extremely abundant everywhere, especially during 

 the summer months. Large numbers resident. 



MELEAGRIS. 



109. M. gallipavo. Common through all the more unsettled parts of the 

 territory, both in high and low land. The species found here has the upper 

 tail coverts broadly tipped with white. 



CYRTONYX. 



110. C. massena. Not rare in the mountains; occasionally seen along the 

 Rio Grande- Lie well to the dog, and afford much sport in shooting them. 

 Their favorite resorts are along mountain sides, where they procure various 

 kinds of insects, by grubbing them out with their bills, at the roots of the grass. 

 Never detected vegetable matter in the stomachs of any. This species often 

 hides behind stones and in hollows after being flushed. 



LOPHORTYX. 



111. L. Gambei.il The common quail of this country; found both in the 

 high and low land. They are said not to lie well to a dog, but I have proved 

 that this is the case only in bright weather ; for often in cloudy days 1 have seen 

 them lie well to a well-broken pointer. Their food, unlike the Massena par- 

 tridge, is exclusively, almost, vegetable. The berries of the miseltoe in win- 

 ter seem to furnish their principal food. 



CALLIPEPLA. 



112. C squamata. Found only in high ground, elevated plains or mountain 

 sides. They appear to be far the shyest of their species. Their flesh I prefer 

 to that of either of the other. Capt. J. P. McCown, U. S. A., in his notes upon 

 this bird, as observed in Texas, published by Geo. N. Lawrence, Esq., says he 

 "thinks they never affect open plains." But as far as my observation goe3, 

 (which is quite extended in regard to this species) although generally found in 

 ihe neighborhood of bushes, particularly mesquit and wild sage, I have of- 

 ten seen them feeding on perfectly open rocky hills. 



GEOCOCCYX. 



113. G. viaticcs. Quite common among the mesquit bushes everywhere along 

 the Del Norte. Rarer in the mountainous parts of the country. 



TETRAO. 



114. T. obscurus. One flock, only seen near the summit of the Sierra de 

 los Mimbres. 1 state this fact on good authority, as I did not see the birds 

 myself. All, however, agree they are not rare in the northern portions of the 

 territory. 



FQL1CA. 



115. F. Americana. Exceedingly common in every slough and pond. 

 Resident. 



ORTYGOMETRA.' 



116. O. Carolinus. A few seen passing through the country in the Spring 

 and Fall not abundant. A few winter on the Rio Mimbres. 



RALLUS. 



117. R. Virginiani's. One only met with near Fort Thorn, on the Rio 

 Grande in the Spring of 1854. 



