32 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTING. 



parently associating with the Ortyx texana, to which it is 

 very similar in habit. 



Dr. Kennerly found them everywhere where there was 

 a permanent supply of fresh water, from Limpia Creek, 

 in Texas, to San Bernardino, in Sonora. They were met 

 with on the mountain sides, or on the hills among the low 

 mesquite-bushes and barrea. They apparently rely more 

 upon their legs than upon their wings, ascending the most 

 precipitous cliffs or disappearing among the bushes with 

 great rapidity. 



The most western point at which Dr. Heermann observed 

 this species was the San Pedro Eiver, a branch of the Gila, 

 east of Tucson. There a flock of these birds ran before him 

 at a quick pace, with outstretched necks, heads elevated, 

 crests erect and expanded, and soon disappeared among 

 the thick bushes that surrounded them on all sides. After 

 that they were seen occasionally until they arrived at Lym- 

 pia Springs. Lieutenant Barton informed Dr. Heermann 

 that he had procured this species near Fort Clark, one 

 hundred and twenty miles west of San Antonio, where, 

 however, it was quite rare. It was found abundantly on 

 the open plains, often starting up before the party when 

 passing over the most arid portions of the route. They 

 also seemed partial to the prairie-dog villages. These, 

 covering large tracts of ground destitute of vegetation, 

 probably offered the attraction of some favorite insect. 



Dr. Woodhouse met with this species on only one occa- 

 sion, as the party was passing up the Rio Grande, at the 

 upper end of Valleverde, on the west side of the river, on 

 the edge of the sand-hills, feeding among the low bushes. 

 They were exceedingly shy and quick-footed. He tried 

 in vain to make them fly, and they evidently preferred 

 their feet to their wings as a means of escape. He was 

 told that they were found above Santa Fe. 



Mr. Dresser found this species on the Rio Grande above 

 Roma, and between the Rio Grande and the Nueces they 

 were quite abundant; wherever found, they seemed to have 

 the country to themselves, to the exclusion of other spe- 



