THE CALIFOBNIAN OETIX. 221 



winter they disappear into the neighbouring thickets and 

 brush for why ? The prairies are constantly burned at the 

 end of the season, and consequently starvation or change 

 of residence are their alternatives. In one section of the 

 country that I resided in, a great portion of the prairie land 

 was too wet to burn, and many a heavy bag I obtained late 

 in the season, even when the roots of the grass were sub- 

 merged in ice. My dogs, which I invariably broke upon 

 them, seldom made mistakes, and never do I remember a 

 covey departing (except the pointer or setter had run into- 

 them coming down wind) without getting at least a barrel 

 into them. With other varieties of game they appear to 

 agree well, for I have on several occasions killed the ortix 

 with one barrel, and the rufled grouse with the other over 

 the same point. 



They are universally scattered over the United States, 

 east of the Rocky Mountains, where cultivation exists, 

 although possibly most abundant in Maryland and Virginia. 



As a table delicacy I know no greater; for weeks I have 

 constantly had them at both breakfast and dinner, still 

 without becoming satiated, and there are very few varieties 

 of game could stand a more severe test. Their note or call 

 is remarkably melodious, and in the spring or pairing 

 time, when they are numerous, you can hear their sweet 

 voice all day long, and in every direction. I have always 

 regretted that no one introduced this little stranger, in 

 sufficient quantities to guarantee the experiment a fair 

 trial. 



CALIFORNIAN ORTIX. This bird is a little smaller than 

 the Virginian. It is strictly confined to the Pacific slopes, 



