BIRDS — PERDICIDAE ORTYX. 



639 



c. Crest soft, full and tufted; composed of short, broad and depressed feathers. 



Callipepla. — Crest springing from the crown. Wing coverts normal. Tail stiffened, nearly 

 as long as the wings. Claws small, acute, outstretched feet not reaching the tip of tail. 



Cyrtonyx. — Crest occipital. Wing coverts greatly developed. Tail very small and soft; 

 half as long as the wings. Toes short; claws very long, hlunted; outstretched feet reaching 

 much heyond the tip of the tail. 



All the North American quails, except Cyrtonyx massena, have the inner tertiaries edged 

 internally with whitish or buff, forming a conspicuous line on the back when the wings are 

 closed. 



Comparative measurements of species. 



ORTYX, Stephens. 



Ortyx, Stephens, Shaw's Gen. Zoo!. XI, 1819. Type Tetrao virginianus, L. 



Ca. — Bill stout. Head entirely without any crest. Tail short, scarcely more than half the wing, composed of moderately 

 soft feathers. Wings normal. Legs developed, the toes reaching considerably beyond the tip of the tail ; the lateral toes short, 

 equal, their claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw. 



The genus Ortyx embraces numerous species, more or less resembling the well known Bob- 

 white of the United States. They are chiefly confined to Mexico, Central America, and the 

 West India Islands. An Ortyx cubanensis, from Cuba, is said by Cabanis to resemble 0. texanus 

 much more than virginianus. 



