VARIETIES OF THE PARTRIDGE. 391 
grapes and the edible variety of snails. In France, the Jura, the 
Upper and Lower Alps, the mountains of Auvergne, and the Pyrenees, 
are districts where it is most abundant. 
A variety called the Gambra, which differs but little from the 
Red-legged Partridge, is found in Spain, Corsica, Sicily, and Calabria. 
The Virginian or American Partridge (Ortyx Virginianus, Wilson) 
has a thick and convex beak, smooth tarsi, and a longer tail than the 
Partridge. These characteristics would hardly entitle us to make any 
difference as to genus, if a study of their habits had not revealed 
certain details which justify our doing so. 
When these birds are flushed, they do not all of them fly towards 
the same spot, but scatter before concealing themselves in the brush- 
wood. Under these circumstances, if re-found, all may be killed in 
succession. They are more prolific than the Partridge, also less 
suspicious, and will readily enter snares set for them. 
These birds are in the habit of making peculiar arrangements for 
sleeping. All the individuals of the same flock place themselves in 
a circle at a certain distance from each other ; then walk backwards, 
converging towards a common centre, until they are close to one 
another, side to side: in this position they pass the night. By 
means of this precaution the flock can see in all directions, and by 
advancing a few steps to their front take wing without interfering with 
each other. 
The Virginian Partridge has bred in England. Similar attempts 
have been made in France, but with less success, owing to a want 
of perseverance. It would be a very excellent addition to our game 
birds, as its flesh is quite delicate, and it lies well before pointers or 
setters. 
The Californian Partridge (Ortyx Californicus, Fig. 152), is also 
distinguished from the Partridge proper by its vagrant habits. In 
this respect it resembles the Quail, but its peregrinations are irregular, 
and do not embrace anything like the same extent of range. This 
bird is a native of the western shores of North America, where it 
abounds. In California, during one winter, in a circuit of not more 
than five or six leagues, as many as 12,000 head have been killed, 
without any apparent diminution of the species in the ensuing spring. 
On the upper ridges of the valley of the Sacramento River they are 
very abundant. This beautiful bird, familiarly known as the Cali- 
fornian Quail, is adorned with a crest, the upper portion of which 
points forward. 
Another variety of Ovtyx, figured by Audubon, is also a resident 
of California, where it is called the Solitary Partridge. 
