490 NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS. 



them on Devil's Eiver, in Texas, where his attention was at first directed 

 to them by their very peculiar note, which, when first heard, suggested 

 to him the cry of some species of squirrel. In the valley of the Lower Kio 

 Grande he also met with these birds in companies of a dozen or more. Their 

 food, on the prairies, appeared to be entirely insectivorous ; while on the 

 Lower Kio Grande all the specimens that were procured had their bills 

 stained with the berries of the opuntia. They were not shy, and would 

 rather get out of the way by running than by flying. At no time, and under 

 no circumstances, were they known to alight in bushes or in trees. They 

 were only known to make mere scratches in the ground for nests, and their 

 situations were very carelessly selected. Young birds were found in June 

 and in July. 



Lieutenant Couch first met with this species about sixty leagues west of 

 Matamoras, and not until free from the prairies and bottom-land. It was 

 occasionally noticed, apparently associating with the Ortyx texana, to which 

 it is very similar in habit. 



Dr. Kennerly found them everywhere where there was a permanent supply 

 of fresh water, from Limpia Creek, in Texas, to San Bernardino, in Souora. 

 They were met with on the mountain-sides, or on the hills among the low 

 mesquite-bushes and barrea. They apparently rely more upon their legs 

 than upon their wings, ascending the most precipitous cliffs or disappearing 

 among the buslies with great rapidity. 



The most western point at which Dr. Heermann observed this species was 

 the San Pedro Eiver, a branch of the Gila, east of Tucson. There a flock of 

 these birds ran before him at a quick pace, with outstretched necks, heads 

 elevated, crests erect and expanded, and soon disappeared among the thick 

 bushes that surrounded them on all sides. After that they were seen occasion- 

 ally until they arrived at Lympia Springs. Lieutenant Barton informed Dr. 

 Heermann that he had procured this species near Fort Clark, one hundred 

 and twenty miles west of San Antonio, where, however, it was quite rare. 

 It was found abundantly on the open plains, often starting up before the 

 party when passing over the most arid portions of the route. They also 

 seemed partial to the ]3rairie-dog villages. These, covering large tracts of 

 ground destitute of vegetation, probably offered the attraction of some 

 favorite insect. 



Dr. Woodhouse met with this species on only one occasion, as the party 

 was passing up the Eio Grande, at the upper end of Valleverde, on the west 

 side of the river, on the edge of the sand-hills, feeding among the low bushes. 

 They were exceedingly shy and quick-footed. He tried in vain to make 

 them fly, and they evidently preferred their feet to their wings as a means 

 of escape. He was told that they were found above Santa Fe. 



Mr. Dresser found this species on the Eio Grande above Eoma, and be- 

 tween the Eio Grande and the Nueces they were quite abundant ; wlierever 

 found, they seemed to have the country to themselves to the exclusion of 



