SUBFAMILY ODONTOPHORINA.. 197 
is possible by that method, they lack, to a certain degree, what 
sportsmen are accustomed to regard as game qualities, and by 
always indulging in these habits are particularly exasperating 
to both man and dog. ‘They are accustomed at certain periods 
to assemble in large flocks, sometimes of several hundreds, and 
are very abundant in the countries they inhabit. I have, under 
the genus CALLIPEPLA, given my reasons why I have departed 
from the arrangement in the Check List and separated these 
birds from the Scaled Partridges generically. In my opinion the 
characters are too important to be classed subgenerically, and 
are entitled to a full generic standing. In fact, there is very 
little in common either in structure or habits, between the two 
groups of birds. The only trait possessed by both, to a super- 
lative degree, is that of putting their faith in their legs, instead 
of, as would be more natural, in their wings. In all other re- 
spects they are very unlike. 
KEY TO THE SPECIES. 
A. Crest lengthened, recurved, elevated, dis- 
tinct from crown feathers. 
a. Flanks olive-brown, streaked with white. 
CALIFORNIA PAR- 
a’. Upper parts smoky brown; inner edges | TRIDGE, 
of tertials deep buff. | L. califor- 
nicuUs., 
6'. Upper parts grayish brown, inner q acc ig tai 
edges of tertials whitish. ) eae 
L. c. valticola. 
, : GAMBEL’S PAR- 
4. Flanks rich chestnut streaked with | aeemen 
white. j L. gambelz. 
GENOSGYVRIONVX 
(Greek kuprés, kurtos, crooked; + 8vvé, onuwax, claw). 
Cyrtonyx, Gould. Mon., Odont., pt. 1. 1844, pl. vii. Type 
Ortyx massena, Less. = O. montezuma, Vig. 
Crest full, soft depressed, covering the occiput. Tail almost 
hidden by the coverts. Bill stout; tarsus shorter than middle 
toe and claw, the latter greatly developed. 
