()5(} BIRDS Oh" SOUTHWESTERN TEXAS. 



ciuuamou color of the under parts is far from being iiuinaculate. In- 

 deed, in six of the nine specimens tlie white and bhick markins^s so 

 characteristic of C. virfjiniatius and G. virginianus texanuH extend up as 

 far as, and on to, the lower third of the breast, and there are but two 

 specimens where they are confined to the flanks. These two charac- 

 ters, I think, plainly indicate the unstability of the species and the prob- 

 ability of intergradation with the Texan bird. The fact of the similarity 

 of the females, previously alluded to, would also tend to support this 

 hypothesis, if we accept the biological dogma that '' the history of the 

 individual is the history of the species" — it being, of course, taken for 

 granted that the young males are similar to the females. 



Of course, this does not preclude the possibility of intergradation be- 

 tween C. ridgwaiji and C. graysoiii, which Mr. Allen has almost estab- 

 lished (Cf. Auk., IV, 18S7, p. 75). In fact, I venture to predict that the 

 three forms will eventually be found to iutergrade in a triangular sort 

 of way, and it is possible that G.pectoralis may also be admitted to form 

 a (juadrilateral. 



I found the Texan Bob White one of the most abundant birds in the 

 territory under consideration, and I often flushed bevies of them, as 

 well as single birds, within the city limits of San Antonio, but as the 

 said "limits" comprehend an area of 3G square miles, one-half of which 

 is mesquite and the greater portion of the remainder vacant lots, the 

 statement need not appear surprising. The bird seemed to inhabit in- 

 differently all sorts of localities ; in a dense river-side thicket, an open 

 pasture, in the mesquite and cactus, or in a rocky arroyo, go where you 

 would you would be pretty sure to find them. The Mexicans, who 

 abound very extensively in these parts, trap and sell a great many. 

 Seven of those in my collection were purchased alive from one of these 

 blue-blooded Andalusiaus at 5 cents apiece. 



Gemis CALLIPEPLA Wagler. 



89. Callipepla squamata castanogastris Buewst. Blue Quail. 



This bird, generally knowu in Texas as the " Mexican Quail," was 

 not seen by mo, but I heard a good deal of it, and did not expect that 

 it would be found within the geographical limits assigned to this i)aper. 

 However, the day before I left Beeville, I learned from Mr. P. L. Ward 

 that he had recently seen a bevy of them near Mineral City, a small 

 handet 10 miles northwest of Beeville. I do not think that the bird 

 lias heretofore been noted as occurring so far east. 



GCUU.S CYRTONYX Gould. 



90. Cyrtonyx montezumae (ViG.). Massena Partridge. 



I saw a mounted specimen of this bird in the possession of Mr. 

 Dorsch, of San Antonio, which had been shot at Leon Springs by ]\Ir. 

 Max Aue. Afterwards I met IMr. Aue, who informed me that he knew 

 of but two small bevies in the neighborhood, both inhabiting wild rocky 



