QUAIL, OR PARTRIDGE. 
225 
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 rarely frequent the forest, and are most 
numerous in the vicinity of well cultivated plantations, where 
grain is in plenty. They, however, occasionally seek shelter 
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 
endeavouring to outdo his neighbour in obtaining the prize. The voice 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 brought backwards, and 
laid quite close. Their favourite haunts are dry upland, or undulating, gra- 
velly, or sandy soils, in open woods, or coppice thickets of the interior ; but, 
during the severity of winter, when the ground is covered with snow, they 
migrate, in large Hocks, to the more temperate places in the immediate vicinity 
of the ocean. Seeds of Bromus altissimus, Madia sativa, and a tribe of plants 
allied to Wadelia, catkins of Corylus, leaves of Fragaria , and various insects, 
are their common food. Nest on the ground, in thickets of Pteris, Aspidium, 
Rubus, Rhamnus, and Ceanothus ; neatly built 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. Common 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. — Vigors. 
Male. — Bill, brown ; crest, linear, black, one inch long ; irides, hazel-red ; 
body, fuscous brown, with a mixture of lead colour, and rusty or yellow streaks ; 
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 unequal rounded feathers ; legs, reddish ; length, nine inches ; 
girth, twelve inches ; weight, ten ounces ; flesh, pleasant, dark coloured. 
Female. — 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°. N. latitude, and even 
that very sparingly in comparison to O. picta and Californica. The species 
do not associate together. In manner they are similar, at least as far as the 
opportunity I had of observing them went. I have never seen them but in 
winter dress, and know nothing of their nesting Ed. 
VOL. II. P 
