THE LONG-TAILED ORTYX. 
129 
blotclied with large spots of yellowish-white. The 
length of the tail-feathers is 5^ inches, they are broad 
and rounded. 
Several other species are known. Two were 
brought to this country by Mr Douglas from his jour- 
ney to Columbia; one has been denominated O. picia, 
which is also crested. This 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 seen plucked, 
mutilated, and covered with blood. When feeding 
they move in compact bodies, each individual endea- 
vouring to outdo his neighbour in obtaining the prize. 
During winter, when the ground is covered with 
snow, they migrate in large flocks to more temperate 
places in the vicinity of the ocean. 
Ortyx Douglasii is another bird said to be dis- 
tinct, so named by Mr Vigors, and brought by Mr 
Douglass nearly from the same country. Ortyx 
Moritesumm, capistrata, and Sonnini, are all rare 
and beautiful species. 
From these birds we shall now commence an ac- 
count of the true grouse, Tetrao, the typical group 
of the family. 
VOL. vni. 
I 
