474 NUKTll AMEIUCAN BIRDS. 



OrtyK virginianus, \ar. texanus, L.v\vin;xcE. 



Urtyx l(j-(inus, Lawkknii., ' iiii. N. V. Lye. VI, Ainil, ISjy, 1. - liAliil), Hinls N. Am. 

 1858, 041, i>l. l.\ii. ~- In. .Mix. 1!. II, lUids, 2-J, [il. .x.xiv. — L)l!i;s.si;ii, Ibis, 18tit), 27 

 (S. K. 'lV.\iis; liivnls). — (iiiAY, Cat. liiit. Mils. V. 18(i7, 7.J. — Hkkk.M. .X, c 18. 



Sp. C'liAit. (ii'iKMiil aiipcai'aiiet' that of O. ri'iyiiii(nius. Cliiii, tliioat, t'oivliuail, and 

 •stripe over tiie eye, wliite. Stripe liehiiul tlio eye, continuoiis witli a collar aem.s.^ the 

 lower part of the tliroat, hlaciv. Under parts white, witli zigzag' tran.sverse bars of blaek. 

 Above ]iale lirownish-reil, stron<,'ly tiiiired with at^li, the feather.s all faintly though di.s- 

 tiiietly mottled with lilaek ; the lower baek, seapidar.s, and tertials mueh blotche<l with 

 lihiek, tiie latter edged on both side.s, and, to .some e.xtent, transversely barred with 

 bidwnish-white. Seeondaries with transverse bars of the same on the outer web. Wing- 

 eoverls coarsely and con.spicuously barred with blaeki.sh. Lower part of neck, except 

 belore, streake(l with blaek and while. 



Fvmith' with the white of the head changed t(j l)rownish-y'.'llow ; the l)lack of the head 

 wanting. Length, 9.00 ; wing, l.li.'); tail, 'J.S.j. 



ILvn. Southern Texas and Valley of the liio Grande: Repul)lican River, Kansas; 

 Washita Rivi'r, Indian 'I'erritory. 



H.vniTS. This form, wliicli appears to bo confined to tlie southern portion 

 of Te.xas and to the valley of the l!io tJrande Kiver, was first descrilted by 

 Mr. Lawrence in iS;");!. It has i)een taken in the neigiiboriiood of San 

 Antonio and on tlie Xiieces IJiver liy Captain I'ope; on Devil's liiver by 

 Major William H. Emory ; at Fort Clark, on the I'ecos IMver, near Liiredo, 

 Te.xas, at Matainoras, and near New Loon, ^le.xieo, iind in other localities, 

 by Lieutenant Conch. According to Mr. Clark, they were very abundant in 

 the valley of the IVcos, as well as in all Southwestern Te.xas. They were 

 much like the common Virginia (Juail in haljits as well as iu appearance, 

 and to his ear the note of this bird was absolutely identical with that of 

 the common (Juail. Ho has often been a spectator of fights among the males 

 of this variety. To tliis account Dr. Keunerly adds that he ol (.served them 

 everywhere in considerable numbers from tiie coast to the headwaters of 

 Devil's Iviver, and also along the Pecos liiver; but farther west than this 

 none were seen. In the ojien prairie lands great numbers were always 

 found early in tiie morning in the road. The clo.se resemblance of its 

 habits to those of the common Partridge was also noticed. 



This Quail was first observed liy Dr. Ileermann in abumlance on the Pecos 

 River, altliough seen some days iirevious to reaching that point. Their 

 numbers increased as they neared civilization, and near San Antonio they 

 became very ]»lentifiil. 'I'ho call of the male bird is said to consist of two 

 notes repeated at intervals, which are less loud, clear, and ringing than those 

 of the common 0;7//,/' rmi'unnniis. They feed on the open ]»rairies on gra.ss- 

 seeds, grains, berries, and insects, ami, if alarmed, take refuge among the 

 scattered mestpiite-trees and clumps of bushes. When hunted, they lie to 

 the dog in the manner of the common species, and, if Hushed, fly in a direct 

 line, witli a loud whirring noi.se, caused by the shortness and itipid motions of 



