LOPHOETYX. 293 



Mexico young birds liave been observed in the pine-forests at an elevation of between 

 8000 and 9000 feet. The mating-season in North America commences, according to 

 Bendire ^, towards the end of February and the breeding-time about the first week in 

 April or occasionally later. Taking up a position ou some stump or branch, and standing 

 perfectly erect with bill pointing straight upwards, wings drooped, and tail slightly 

 spread, the male utters his loud call-note at intervals of a few minutes for half an hour 

 or more at a time. This he repeats several times a day, and his challenge is answered 

 by any other male in the vicinity. During the breeding-season they fight constantly 

 with one another, each defending his home against intrusion with great valour. 



During the intense heat of the summer months this species frequents the cool and 

 shady spots at the bottom of the creeks, and frequently perches on trees, the majority 

 roosting in them. The nest is usually a slight hollow scratched in the ground lined 

 with bits of dry leaves, and sheltered by dead grass. Occasionally it is placed above 

 the ground on the top of a stump, while sometimes an old nest of some other bird is 

 used. The eggs are normally ten to twelve, but much larger numbers are sometimes 

 found, no doubt the produce of more than one hen. The ground-colour of the shell 

 is creamy-white or pale buff, spotted and blotched with reddish-brown or dark brown. 



2. Lophortyx douglasi. 



Ortyx douglasi, Douglas, Trans. Linn. Soc. xvi. p. 145 ' . 



CaUlpepla douglassii, Gambel, Journ. Ac. Philad. (n. s.) i. p. 218 "", 



Lophortyx douglasi, Grant, Cat. Birds Brit. Mus. xsii. p. 40i'; Haadb. Game-Birds, ii. p. 126 \ 



Ortyx elegans, Lesson, Cent. Zool. p. 189, t. 61 ^ 



Callipepla elegans, Gould, Monogr. Odoutoph. t. 18"; Finsch, Abh. nat. Ver. Brera. ii. p. 357"; 



Lawr. Mem. Best. Soc. N. H. ii. p. 306' ; Allen, Bull. Amer. Mus. N. H. v. p. 33 \ 

 Ortyx spilogaster. Vigors, P. Z. S. 1833, p. 4 ". 

 Callipepla elegans bensoni, Ridgw. Pr. U. S. Nat. Mus-. x. p. 148 ". 



Supra cinereus, dorsi plumis macula triangulari magna castanea termiualiter notatis ; scapularibus et secundariis 

 intimis fere castaneis, late albo nigro, intus fimbriato marginatis ; remigibas sepiariis ; dorso postico, 

 uropygio efc snpracaudalibus olivascenti-brunneis, his minute albido irroratis ; rectricibus cinereis; pilei 

 plumis schistaceo-cinereis, rhacbidibus nigris ; crista elongata, rufa ; facie lateral! albida nigro lineata ; 

 gula alba, nigro guttatim faseiata ; gutture imo et prsepectore schistaceis, coUi lateribus castaneo maculatis • 

 corpora reliquo subtus schistaceo, macuUs albis nigro eircumdatis oceliato ; hypochondriis late castaneo 

 striatis, et maculis albis ocellatis; remigibus intus cineraceis. Long, tota circa S-5, alae 4-5, caudae 2-75, 

 culm. 0-7, tarsi 1-1. 



§ Brunnescentior, crista brunnea distinguenda ; gutture albo, nigro punctato ; corpore reKquo subtus 

 cinerascenti-brunneo, maculis albis oceliato, hypochondriis late brunneo striatis. Long, tota circa 6 0, 

 ate 4-3. (Descr. maris et feminse ex San Bias. Mus. nostr.) 



Hab. Mexico ^ ^°, Ysleta, Guadalupe, Quiriego, Sierra de Alamos (Lloyd ^), Nacori, 

 Sonora {RoUneUe% Campos (Benson ^^), Mazatlan (Beechey^^, Grawbel'-, Gray- 

 son"' % Presidio de Mazatlan (Forrer^), San Bias, Tepic (5»c/«ro-(Zsott=*), Jalisco 

 and Colima (Grayson ^). 

 Douglas's Quail was first described from a female specimen obtained by Captain 



