THE CALIFORNIAN ORTYX. 221 
As a table delicacy I know no greater; for weeks I have 
constantly had them at both breakfast and dinner, still with- 
out becoming satiated, and there are very few varieties of 
game could stand a more severe test. Their note or call is 
remarkably melodious, and in the spring or pairing time, 
when they are numerous, you can hear their sweet voice all 
day long, and in every direction. I have always regretted 
that no one introduced this little stranger, in sufficient quan- 
tities to guarantee the experiment a fair trial. 
CALIFORNIAN ORTYX. 
This bird is a little smaller than the Virginian. It is 
strictly confined to the Pacific slopes, and wherever culti- 
vation exists the sportsman may be satisfied that his ex- 
ertions in their pursuit will be rewarded. No. 8 will be 
found the most suitable sized shot for killing this game. 
This bird is particularly one of those that the Americans 
have reason to be proud of, for not only is it possessed of 
brilliant plumage, but is gifted with a plume remarkable 
alike for its beauty and grace. This head-dress is a row 
of eight or ten feathers, commencing on the top of the 
head and gradually diminishing in size as they grow down 
the neck. In cases of excitement, or at the breeding sea- 
son, the cocks raise this, the upper portion of the plumes 
pointing forward over the forehead after the manner of the 
crest of a cockatoo. On the hill-sides that inclose the Val- 
ley of Sacramento at one time they were very abundant; 
and although their numbers have been greatly diminished 
of late years, still they are sufficiently numerous in that lo- 
cality to afford abundant amusement to the sportsman. 
Unlike the Virginian ortyx, they do not lay well to dogs, 
not that they are wild, but from a preference they have for 
running instead of taking wing. This peculiarity will oft- 
en be found a great source of annoyance when the cover is 
