KEY TO THE GAME BIRDS OF CALIFORNIA 



It is believed that the following key will prove sufficient for identi- 

 fying any game bird heretofore found in California. We would warn 

 our readers, however, not to depend upon it for the determination of 

 species outside of our own state, and to use it only for birds in hand, 

 either freshly killed or stuffed as specimens. The key is "artificial," 

 in that it makes use of any serviceable character, whether or not that 

 character be important in a natural classification of birds. If informa- 

 tion be desired as to the technicalities of systematic ornithology, then 

 recourse must be had to other works than the present one. 



The kind of key here employed, except in two places, is that which 

 is called "dichotomous," that is, it is two-branched, the members of 

 a larger group being separated into two lots according as they possess 

 or lack a certain character or group of characters. In determining 

 to which of two groups a specimen belongs, both headings should be 

 read — that is, read 1 and 1', and 2 and 2', even if from first inspec- 

 tion it is certain to w^hich group the bird belongs. Reference to the 

 figures cited will often assist in deciding doubtful points. If any 

 difficulty be found in identifying a specimen by means of the key, 

 appeal to the descriptions of species will soon settle the question. 

 Measurements have been used in the key only where there were no 

 convenient color or structural features. The methods of taking the 

 measurements used in this key are the same as those employed in the 

 descriptions of species (see page 66 and fig. 4). 



A concrete example will best show the manner of using the key. 

 Suppose we have in hand a specimen of one of our commonest upland 

 game birds and wish to identify it. In the "Key to the Main Groups" 

 we read : 



1. Feet fully webbed between front toes, etc. 



1'. Feet without webs (or else only partly w^ebbed) ; bill without cross-ridges 

 or "teeth," and never "duck-like" in shape. 



Our specimen has no webs and therefore belongs in group V. 

 Proceeding : 



2. Legs and feet short, tarsus (leg) never more than one-tenth total length 



of bird; ends of claws never reaching beyond ends of longest under 

 tail coverts; claw of hind toe reaching to base of claw on outer toe. 

 2'. Legs and feet longer, tarsus (leg) always more than one-tenth total length; 

 ends of claws reaching to or beyond ends of longest under tail coverts; 

 claw of hind toe never reaching to base of claw on outer toe. 



Our bird belongs to group 2', as it has longer feet, etc. Continuing : 



3. Area between bill and eye and space around eye naked. 



3'. Area between bill and eye and space around eye always feathered. 



[67] 



