474 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



Ortyx virginianus, var. texanus, Lawrence. 



Ortyx texanus, Lawkexce, Ann. N. Y. Lye. VI, April, 1853, 1. — Baiud, Birds N. Am. 

 1858, 641, pi. Ixii. — 1b. Mex. B. II, Birds, 22, pi. xxiv. — Dressek, Ibis, 1866, 27 

 (S. E. Texas; breeds). — Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. V. 1867, 75. — Heerm. X, c. 18. 



Sp. Char. General appearance that of 0. virginianus. Chin, throat, forehead, and 

 stripe over the eye, white. Stripe behind the eye, continuous with a collar across the 

 lower part of the throat, black. Under parts white, with zigzag transverse bars of black. 

 Above pale brownish-red, strongly tinged with ash, the feathers all faintly though dis- 

 tinctly mottled with black ; the lower back, scapulars, and tertials much blotched with 

 black, the latter edged on both sides, and, to some extent, transversely barred with 

 brownish-white. Secondaries with transverse bars of the same on the outer web. Wing- 

 coverts coarsely and conspicuously barred with blackish. Lower part of neck, except 

 before, streaked with black and white. 



Female with the white of the head changed to brownish-yellow ; the black of the head 

 wanting. Length, 9.00 ; wing, 4.35 ; tail, 2.85. 



Hab. Southern Texas and Valley of the Rio Grande ; Republican River, Kansas ; 

 Washita River, Indian Territory. 



Habits. This form, which appears to be confined to the southern portion 

 of Texas and to the valley of the Eio Grande River, was first described by- 

 Mr. Lawrence in 1853. It has been taken in the neighborhood of San 

 Antonio and on the Xueces River by Captain Pope ; on Devil's River by 

 Major William H. Emory ; at Fort Clark, on the Pecos River, near Laredo, 

 Texas, at Matamoras, and near New Leon, Mexico, and in other localities, 

 by Lieutenant Couch. According to Mr. Clark, they were very abundant in 

 the valley of the Pecos, as well as in all Southwestern Texas. They were 

 much like the common Virginia Quail in habits as well as in appearance, 

 and to his ear the note of this bird was absolutely identical with that of 

 the common Quail. He has often been a spectator of fights among the males 

 of this variety. To this account Dr. Kennerly adds that he observed them 

 everywhere in considerable numbers from the coast to the headwaters of 

 Devil's River, and also along tlie Pecos River ; but farther west than this 

 none were seen. In the open prairie lands great numbers were always 

 found early in the morning in the road. The close resemblance of its 

 habits to tliose of the common Partridge was also noticed. 



This Quail was first observed by Dr. Heermann in abundance on the Pecos 

 River, although seen some days previous to reaching that point. Their 

 numbers increased as they neared civilization, and near San Antonio they 

 became very plentiful. The call of the male bird is said to consist of two 

 notes repeated at intervals, which are less loud, clear, and ringing than those 

 of the common Ortyx virginianus. They feed on the open prairies on grass- 

 seeds, grains, berries, and insects, and, if alarmed, take refuge among tlie 

 scattered mesquite-trees and clumps of bushes. When hunted, they lie to 

 the dog in the manner of the common species, and, if flashed, fly in a direct 

 line, with a loud whirring noise, caused by the shortness and rapid motions of 



