Dr. E. Coues — Field Notes on Lophortyx gambeli. 49 



defying thought fly eastward, where are all you love most on 

 earth, and try to foretell what " all those sad to-morrows " 

 that must elapse ere you see them again will bring. Hark ! 

 What is that rustling in the thick brush beside you ? " Chink- 

 chink-chink," whisper a dozen anxious throats ; and "the next 

 moment, whir-r-r ! up and off like the wind, scatter the startled 

 bevy, seeming to shake the very air with the vigorous beats of 

 their strong concave wings. We have stumbled upon a bevy of 

 the lovely Plumed Quail [Lophortyx gnmheli) enjoying the first 

 warm days of the sun after the cool, frosty nights. Now let 

 the game, this glorious autumn day, dissipate yo\ir sad home- 

 yearnings; forget them all in the excitement of the chase; for 

 the birds are well worthy of the keenest sportman's pride. 

 Mark them down ; hold gun, and nerves too, in readiness for 

 less than a moment's warning. Advance quickly : these birds 

 rarely lie so close as the Virginia Quail [Ortyx virginianus) , and 

 you will hardly find them where you saw them alight. See the 

 dog ! How his eyes glare, and his lips slaver, and his rigid limbs 

 quiver ! Bang ! bang ! Well done ! You have dropped both birds, 

 and the dog will bring them. No mean feat it is to drop two 

 single Quail at a double shot. Reload in haste, for, remember, a 

 sportsman's " first blood " only whets his appetite ; his bag 

 must be filled before his ardour is sated. So shoot away, only 

 seeing that you kill no more than you wash to use ; God made 

 them for your pleasure ; do not abuse his kindness. 



Now let us stop, and rest awhile on this grassy knoll, and 

 look more carefully at our game. What beauties they are ! Mark 

 the splendid crest of long, dark, glossy, helmet-shaped feathers, 

 growing broader at their ends, and curving so gracefully for- 

 wards. What a clear, pure colour is that of their back ! and 

 how artistically is its uniformity relieved by the pretty, deep, 

 purplish-red and white of the long feathers of the sides, that 

 curl over the edges of the wings and seem to hold them up ! 

 And what a regular double row of yellow scallops there is adowu 

 each side of the back ! How pure a black spot in the middle of 

 the belly ! What a fine contrast is presented by the chestnut 

 crown and black throat, each hemmed so neatly by a border of 

 white ! And so plump ! and such a deliciously fragrant odour 



N. S, — VOL. II. E 



