236 



TETKAONIDjE, GKOUSE, PAETEIDGES. GEN. 



184. 



America. Sw. and Rich., Fn. Bor.-Ain. ii, 354, pi. 64; Nutt., i, 610; 

 AuD., V, 122, pi. 301 ; Bd., 635. 9L. amerlcanus Aud. 



bused on L. mutus Sw. and Eich., Fn. Bor.-Am. ii, 350. 



l\i 



V, 119, pi. 300; 



EUPESTEIS. 



Wldte-tailed Ptarmigmi. Tail white at all seasons ; in winter, no black 

 anywhere ; in summer, barred with dark brown and ochrey ; bill slender, 

 and other proportions nearly as in the last. A species of alpine distribution 

 in western North America, from the Arctic regions to New Mexico (hit. 37°). 

 Sw. and Rich., Fn. Bor.-Am. ii, 356, pi. 63; Nutt., i, 612;. Abd., v, 

 125, pi. 302; Bd.,636; Coop., 542 leucueus. 



^vf' 



Subfamily OBONTOPHOUINJE. American Partridges. 



Head completely feathered, and usually crested, the crest frequently assuming a 

 remarkable shape. Nasal fossffi not filled with feathers, the nostrils covered with 

 a naked scale. Tarsi and toes naked, the latter scarcely or not fringed. 



Our partridges may be distinguished, among American Gallince, by the foregoing 

 characters, but not from those of the Old World ; and it is highly improbable that, 

 as a group, they arc separable from all the forms of the latter by any decided 



peculiarities. I find that the 

 principal supposed character, 

 namely, a toothing of the under 

 mandible, is very faintly indicated 

 in some forms, and entirely want- 

 ing in others. Pending final issue, 

 however, it is expedient to recog- 

 nize the group, so strictlj'' limited 

 geographicallj', if not otherwise. 

 Several beautiful and important 

 genera occur witliiu our limits, but these partridges are most numerous in species 

 in Central aud South America. Odontoplwrus is the leading genus, with perhaps 

 15 species ; Eupsydwrtyx and Dendrortyx are other extra-limital forms ; aud in all, 

 some forty-odd species are known. In habits, thej' agree more or less completely 

 with the well known bob-white. 0>u- species are apparently monogamous, and go 

 in small flocks, called " coveys," usuallj^ consisting of the members of one familj' ; 

 they are terrestrial, but take to the trees on occasion ; nest on the ground, laj-ing 

 numerous white or speckled eggs ; are chiefly granivorous, but also feed on buds, 

 soft fruits, and insects ; and are non-migratory. 



Fig. 150. Foot and bill of Ptiilridge. 



■^ 



j 184. Genus ORTYX Stephens. 



Virginia Partridge, or Quail. Boh-icliite. Quail; New England and 

 Middle States., wherever the ruffed grouse is called "partridge." Partridge; 

 Southern States, wherever the ruffed grouse is called "pheasant." Coronal 

 feathers somewhat lengthened, and erectile, but hardly forming a true crest. 

 Forehead, superciliary line and throat, white, bordered with black ; crown, 

 neck all round, and upper part of breast, brownish-red, other under parts 

 tawnj'-whitish, all with more or fewer donl:)ly crcscentic black bars ; sides 

 broadly streaked with brownish-red ; upper parts variegated with chestnut, 

 black, gray and tawny, the latter edging the inner quills. ? known by 



