414 QlAIL, OR PARTRIDGE. 
and Ohio. Mr. Pennant remarks, that they have been lately introduced 
into the island of Jamaica, where-they appear to thrive greatly, breeding 
in that warm climate twice in the year. Captain Henderson mentions 
them as being plenty near the Balize, at the Bay of Honduras. They 
the descriptions of these new species from Mr. Douglas’s account in the Txansac- 
tions of the Linnean Society : — 
Ortyx picta. —'Dovenas. 
Male. — Bill, small, black ; crown of the head, and breast, lead color; crest, 
‘three linear black feathers, two inches long ; irides, bright hazel red ; throat, purple 
red, bounded by a narrow, white line, forming a gorget above the breast, and ex- 
tending round the eye and root of the beak ; back, scapulars, and outer coverts of 
the wings, fuscous brown; belly, bright tawny, or rusty color, waved with- black ; 
the points of the feathers, white ; quills, thirteen feathers, the fourth the longest ; 
under coverts, light brown, mixed with a rusty color ; tail, twelve feathers, of-une- 
qual length, rounded, lead color, but less bright than the breast or crown of the 
head ; tarsi, one inch and a quarter long, reddish ; toes, webbed nearly to the first 
oint. 3 
: Female. — Head and breast, light fuscous brown; the middle of the feathers, 
black; crest, half an inch long; throdt, whitish, or light gray; belly, light gray, 
waved with black, less bright than the male; under coverts of the Ral, faxy reat 
length, ten inches; girth, sixteen inches; weight, about twelve ounces; flesh, 
brown, well-flavored. 7 2 
From October until March, these birds congregate in vast flocks, and seem to 
live in a state of almost perpetual warfare ; dreadful conflicts ensue between the 
males, which not unfrequently end in the destruction of one or both combatants, if 
we may judge from the number of dead birds daily seen plucked, mutilated, and 
covered ‘with blood. When feeding, they move in compact bodies, each individual 
endeavoring to outdo his neighbor in obtaining the prize. Thevoice is quick-quick- 
quick, pronounced slowly, with a gentle suspension between each’ syllable. At 
such times, or when surprised, the crest is usually thrown forward over the back ; 
and the reverse when retreating, being Hea backwards, and laid quite close. 
Their favorite haunts are dry upland, or undulating, gravelly, or sandy soils, in 
open woods, or coppice thickets of the interior; but, durmg the severity of winter, 
when the ground ts covered with snow, they migrate, in large flocks, to the more 
temperate places in the immediate vicinity of the ocean. Seeds of Bromus altissi- 
mus, Madiu sativa; and a tribe of plants allied to Wadeliu, catkins of Corylus, 
leaves of Fragaria, and various insects, are their common food. . Nest on the 
‘ound, in thickets of Pteris, Aspidium, Rubus, Rhumnus, and Ceanothus ; neatly 
uilt with grass and dry leaves; secreted with so much caution, that, without the 
help of a dog, they can hardly be found. Eggs, eleven to fifteen, yellowish white, 
with minute brown spots ; large in proportion to the bird. Pair in March. Com- 
mon in the interior of California ; and, during the summer months, extending as far 
northward as 45° north latitude, that is, within a few miles of the Columbian 
Valley. 
Ortyx Douglasii. — Vicors, 
Male. — Bill, brown ; crest, linear, black, one inch long ; irides, hazel red; body, 
fuscous brown, with a mixture of lead color, and rusty or yellow streaks 5 throat. 
whitish, with brown spots ; belly, foxy red or tawny, white spotted ; scapulars and 
outer coverts, bright brown ; under coverts, light reddish brown; tail, twelve une- 
qual, rounded feathers ; legs, reddish; length, nine inches; girth, twelve inches ; 
weight, ten ounces ; flesh, pleasant, dark colored. 
Fowide, — Crest, scarcely perceptible, dark. 
This species appears to be an inhabitant of a more temperate climate than the 
preceding one, as it is never seen higher than 42° north latitude, and even that very 
sparingly, in comparison to O. picta and Californica. The species do not asso- 
ciate together. In manner they are similar, at least’as far as the appornnls Thad 
of observing them went. - I_have never seen them but in winter dress, and know 
nothing of ther nesting. — Ep. 
