of the Genera Tetrao and Ortyx. 145 



the ground, in thickets of Pteris, Aspidium, Rubus, Rhamnus, and 

 ' Ceanothus, neatly built with grass and dry leaves, secreted with so 

 much caution, that without the help of a dog they can hardly be 

 found. Eggs 11 to 15, yellowish-white, with minute brown spots ; 

 large in proportion to the bird. Pair in March. Common in 

 the interior of California, and during the summer months extend- 

 ing as far northward as 45" north latitude, that is, within a few 

 miles of the Columbian valley. No specimen of this exceedingly 

 interesting bird exists in any collection. Several pairs, male 

 and female, as well as several of the following species, which I 

 prepared with great care in the interior of California, in Novem- 

 ber 1826, 1 had the misfortune (too painful to dwell upon) to lose, 

 with a multitude of treasures botanical and zoological, crossing 

 one of the rapid tributary streams of the river Multnomah, near 

 its source in the mountains, on my return northwards. On this 

 occasion I lost the labour of fifty-four days of fatigue and anxiety, 

 the too frequent attendants of such undertakings. 



2. O. Douglasii. Plumbeo-brunnea : cristd erects alisque supe- 

 rioribus saturate brunneis : his flavo-ferrugineo striatis : 

 capite genis nuch^que brunneo- et flavo-ferrugineo striatis : 

 gul4 alb4 brunneo notatd : abdomine albo guttato. 



O. Douglasii. Vigors Mss. 



Bill brown : crest linear, black, one inch long. Irides hazel- 

 red. Body fuscous-brown, with a mixture of lead-colour and 

 rusty or yellow streaks. Throat whitish, with brown spots. 

 Belly foxy-red or tawny-white spotted. Quill-feathers 18, 

 Scapulars and outer coverts bright brown. Under coverts 

 light reddish-brown. Tail 12 unequal, rounded feathers. 

 Legs reddish. Length 9 inches. Girth 12 inches. Weight 

 ten ounces. Flesh pleasant ; dark-coloured. 



Female. Crest scarcely perceptible, darker. 



VOL. XVI. u This 



