VARIETIES OF THE PARTRIDGE. 39 1 



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 an excellent addition to French game 

 birds, as its flesh is quite delicate, and it lies well before pointers or 

 setters. 



The Californian Partridge (Ortyx Calif ornicus, 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 \\ 

 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 Ortyx, figured by Audubon, is also a resident 

 of California, where it is ca.ljed the Solitary Partridge. 



