120 LLOYD'S NATURAL HISTORY. 
seeing I paid no attention to him. The young, already hand- 
some and active little creatures, scattered promptly in all direc- 
tions, and the majority were most effectually hidden in an 
instant. As nearly as I was able to judge they numbered 
eleven. I caught one, but after examining it turned it loose 
again. ‘The feathers of the crest already showed very plainly. 
“Their food consists of insects, the buds and tender tops of 
leguminous plants, small seeds, and berries of various kinds.” 
Nest.—Generally on the ground among a collection of dead 
leaves, and well concealed by bushes or ferns, while a favourite 
site is said to be beneath the fallen tops of pine trees left by 
wood-cutters. Occasionally nests are met with on the tops of 
old decayed tree-stumps. 
Egzs.—Generally from eight to twelve in number, but some- 
times aS many.as sixteen may be found. ‘The colour varies 
from pale cream to reddish-buff, and the shell is devoid of 
markings. Average measurements, 1°38 by. 1°06 inch. 
THE CALIFORNIAN QUAILS., GENUS LOPHORTY3e 
Lophortyx, Bonap. Comp. List B. Eur. and N. Amer. pp. 42, 
43 (1838). 
Type, Z. californicus (Shaw and Nodder). 
Plumage of sexes different. Crest in both sexes extending 
much beyond the feathers of the head. 
First primary flight-feather ¢véermedtate tn length between 
the eighth and ninth; fourth generally slightly longer than the 
third and fifth. 
Tail composed of fwelve feathers, and about ¢hreefourths of 
the length of the wing. 
Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw. 
Three species about the size of the Common Quail are 
known. 
