60 U. S. p. E. E. EXP. AKD SURVEYS — ROUTE TO CALIFORNIA. 



may, however, be overtaken when followed on horseback over the vast open plains where no 

 friendly bush oifers the weary bird a shelter. When closely chased, if on an elevated point, it 

 will sometimes fly, but always sailing downward. I once saw one captured by a couple of dogs, 

 their appetites whetted by recent success in overtaking and bringing down a coyote or prairie 

 wolf. Hotly pressed, the bird would gain upon his enemies while sailing down the mountain 

 slope, but taking to his feet on the first ascent, this advantage was again soon lost, and the 

 fugitive, worn out, fell at length a victim to their relentless determination. 



The stomachs of the birds I examined were filled with the grasshopper and large black beetles 

 found on the plains. The nest, laid on the branches of the cactus, is formed of a few loose sticks 

 thrown negligently together in the same manner as that of our yellow-billed cuckoo, (Coccyzus 

 americanus.) It contains two large, nearly spherical white eggs. I have not witnessed the 

 following feat, but am assured by many old Californians that this bird, on perceiving the rattle- 

 snake coiled up asleep, basking in the sun, will collect the cactus and hedge him around with a 

 circle, out of which the reptile, unable to escape, and enraged by the prickly points opposing 

 him on every side, strikes himself and dies from the effects of his self-inoculated venom. This 

 bird is common in western Texas and on the Rio Grande. 



ECTOPISTES CAEOLINENSIS, Linn .—Carolina Turtle-dove. 



Edcpistes carolinemis, DkKay, N. H. of N. T. part I, p. 197, pi. 74, fig. 166.— Ano. B. of A. Occ. vol. V, p. 36, pi. 286. 

 Columha caroUnaisis, Nutt. Orn. vol. I, p. 626. — Wils. Am. Orn. vol. V, p. 1, pi. 4i. 

 Zenaidura carolinemis, Baikd, Gen. Rep. IX. 



Abundant. 



CALLIPEPLA CALIFOENICA, Lath .—California Partridge. 



Callipepla californica, Goold's OdoDtophorinae. 



Oriyx californica, Add. B. A. Oct. vol. V, p. 67, pi. 290. 



Perdrix de la californie, Atlas, Voyage de la Perouse, pi. 36. 



This very numerous and beautiful species is found in California as far south as Vallecita, 

 where commences the desert extending to the Colorado, and which forms an impassable barrier 

 between it and its closely allied species, G-ambel's partridge, {Gallipepla gambelii.) When 

 flushed from the ground it immediately flies to the trees, if in a wooded country, squatting so 

 closely lengthwise on a branch that it is rarely seen and procured while thus hidden. It does 

 not lay to the dog, but runs until so hotly pursued as to be forced to fly. It is easily tamed, 

 and is often domesticated in California with poultry. Two years since, a gentleman having 

 imported a large number, attempted to introduce this species on Long Island as a game bird. 

 Unfortunately, after the first breeding season, they were all brought by the gunners to the New 

 York market. The nest, made in the open field or at the foot of a bush, is composed of loose 

 grasses, arranged without much care. Tlie eggs, twelve or sixteen in number, are yellowish or 

 grayish white, spotted and dashed with dark brown or burnt umber. 



CALLIPEPLA GAMBELII, N u 1 1 .—Gamhel's Partridge. 



Callipepla gambelii, Guold's Odontophorinae. — Cassis's Hi. B. of Cal. and Tex. p. 45, pi. 9. 

 Lophorlyx gambelii, Nutt. Proo. A. N. Sc. Phil. vol. I, p. 260. — Baird, Gen. Rep. IX, 645. 



I first discovered this beautiful species in California on the Mohave desert, at the point where 

 the Mohave river empties into a large salt lake forming its terminus. The first intimation of 



