222 PBAIBIE AND FOREST. 



and wherever cultivation exists the sportsman may he 

 satisfied that his exertions in their pursuit will be rewarded. 

 No. 8 will he found the most suitably sized shot for killing 

 this game. 



This bird is particularly one of those that the Americans 

 have reason to be proud of, for not only is it possessed of 

 brilliant plumage, but is gifted with a plume remarkable 

 alike for its beauty and grace. This head-dress is a row 

 of eight or ten feathers, commencing on the top of the head 

 and gradually diminishing in size as they grow down the 

 neck. In cases of excitement, or at the breeding season, 

 the cocks raise this, the upper portion of the plumes 

 pointing forward over the forehead after the manner of the 

 crest of a cockatoo. On the hill- sides that enclose the 

 Valley of Sacramento at one time they were very abundant, 

 and, although their numbers have been greatly dimin- 

 ished of late years, still they are sufficiently numerous 

 in that locality to afford abundant amusement to the 

 sportsman. 



Unlike the Virginian ortix, they do not lay well to dogs, 

 not that they are wild, but from a preference they have for 

 running instead of taking wing. This peculiarity will often 

 be found a great source of annoyance when the cover is 

 thick, and be most injurious to the well-broken, highly- 

 bred dog. However, when flushed, their flight is swift, 

 although not protracted, and no small amount of skill and 

 practice is necessary for the shooter to become a certain 

 shot at this description of game. Like the Virginian bird, 

 they frequently breed twice in the year, and at each 

 sitting, if no accident occur, or wet weather supervene, 



