THE LON0-TAILE» ORTTX, 
107 
blotehed witli hrg^ spots of yellowish -white. The 
length of the tail-feathers is 5^ inches, they are broad 
and roontled. 
Several other species ore Imovvn. Two were 
brought to this country hy Mr Douglas from his jour- 
ney to Columhb; one has been denominated O- picta^ 
which is also creflted. Thin bird, says Mr Douglas, 
congregates in vast flocks in the interior of California 
from October to March, and seem to live in a state of 
perpetual warfare. Dreadful conflicts ensue between 
the males, which not uncommonly end in the de- 
struction of one or both combatants, if we may judge 
from the number of dead birds daily Keen plucked, 
mutilated, and covered with blood. When feeding? 
I hey movt; in compact bodies, each individual endea- 
vouring to outdo his neighbour in obtaining the prize- 
Dtiring winter, when the ground is covered with 
snow^ they migrate in large flocks to more temperate 
places in the vitlnity of the ocean. 
Orij/x Douglmii is, another bird said to be dis- 
tinct, so named by Mr Vigors, and brought by Mr 
Douglass nearly from the same country. Orti/x 
Montesunue^ capistrata, and Sonmnit are all rare 
and beautiful species. 
From these birds we shall now commence an ac- 
count of the true grouse, Tetraoy the typical group 
of the famUy. 
