THE LONG-TAILED ORTYX. 129 



blotched with large spots of yellowish- white. The 

 length of the tail-feathers is 5-J- inches, they are broad 

 and rounded. 



Several other species are known. Two were 

 brought to this country by Mr Douglas from his jour- 

 ney to Columbia; one has been denominated O. picta, 

 which is also crested. This bird, says Mr Douglas, 

 congregates in vast flocks in the interior of California 

 from October to March, and seem to live in a state of 

 perpetual warfare. Dreadful conflicts ensue between 

 the males, which not uncommonly end in the de- 

 struction of one or both combatants, if we may judge 

 from the number of dead birds daily seen plucked, 

 mutilated, and covered with blood. When feeding 

 they move in compact bodies, each individual endea- 

 vouring to outdo his neighbour in obtaining the prize. 

 During winter, when the ground is covered with 

 enow, they migrate in large flocks to more temperate 

 places in the vicinity of the ocean. 



Ortyx Douglasii is another bird said to be dis- 

 tinct, so named by Mr Vigors, and brought by Mr 

 Douglass nearly from the same country. Ortyx 

 Montesumce, capistrata, and Sonnini, are all rare 

 and beautiful species. 



From these birds we shall now commence an ac- 

 count of the true grouse, Tetrao, the typical group 

 of the family. 



VOL. vm. 



