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PLUMED' PARTRIDGE. 
Ortix plumifera, Gould. 
PLATE COXCI. — Male and Female. 
Of this beautiful bird little, I believe, isknown. The following notice by 
Mr. Townsend shows that it is entitled to a place in our Fauna : — “ This 
bird inhabits the dense woods along the tributary streams of the Columbia 
river, and is said to extend south into California. It is at all times a very 
scarce species, going in coveys of from six to ten, and is rarely seen away 
from its favourite places of resort. In all my rambles through the Oregon 
country I was never so fortunate as to meet with this pretty bird, the three 
specimens which I have received having been procured for me by others.” 
One of these specimens has been forwmrded to me by Mr. Townsend, and 
as it proved a female, I made a drawing of the male from a superb specimen 
now in the Museum of the Zoological Society of London. 
Plumed Partridge, Perdix plumifera, Aud. Orn. Biog., vol. v. p. 226. 
Male, 11, wing 51. Female, 10, wing 5i. 
Columbia river and upper California. Rather rare. Migratory. 
Adult Male. 
Bill very short, stout, higher than broad, its dorsal outline decurved from 
the base, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping and convex, the edges sharp and 
overlapping, the tip rather obtuse but thin-edged ; nostrils basal, oblong, 
operculate in the fore part of the wide nasal groove, which is partially 
covered with feathers ; gap line a little arched ; lower mandible with the 
angle short and rounded, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the 
ridge broad, the sides convex, the edges sharp, the tip obtuse. 
Head of moderate size ; ovate ; neck short ; body full. Feet of moderate 
length, stout ; tibia covered to the joint ; tarsus rather short, a little com- 
pressed, edged behind, covered all round with angular scales, of which the 
anterior are very large ; toes four, the first small, and placed higher than 
the rest ; the anterior long, rather slender, the fourth considerably longer 
than the second, the third much the longest ; all scutellate above. Claws 
long, rather slender, compressed, arched, rather acute. 
Plumage full, firm, blended. Feathers generally oblong, on the sides very 
Vol. Y. io 
