Dr. E. Coues— Field Notes on Lophortyx gambeli. 49 
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defying thought fly eastward, where are all you love most on 
earth, and try to foretell what “ all those sad to-morrows ” 
that must elapse ere you see them again will bring. Hark! 
What is that rustling in the thick brush beside you ? “ Chink- 
chink-chink” whisper a dozen anxious throats; and the next 
moment, whir-r-r ! up and off like the wind, scatter the startled 
bevy, seeming to shake the very air with the vigorous beats of 
their strong concave wings. We have stumbled upon a bevy of 
the lovely Plumed Quail [Lophortyx gambeli) enjoying the first 
warm days of the sun after the cool, frosty nights. Now let 
the game, this glorious autumn day, dissipate your sad home- 
yearnings; forget them all in the excitement of the chase; for 
the birds are w r ell worthy of the keenest sportman’s pride. 
Mark them down; hold gun, and nerves too, in readiness for 
less than a moment’s warning. Advance quickly : these birds 
rarely lie so close as the Virginia Quail [Ortyx virginianus) , and 
you will hardly find them where you saw them alight. See the 
dog ! How his eyes glare, and his lips slaver, and his rigid limbs 
quiver ! Bang ! bang ! Well done ! You have dropped both birds, 
and the dog will bring them. No mean feat it is to drop two 
single Quail at a double shot. Beload in haste, for, remember, a 
sportsman’s “ first blood ” only whets his appetite; his bag 
must be filled before his ardour is sated. So shoot away, only 
seeing that you kill no more than you wish to use; God made 
them for your pleasure : do not abuse his kindness. 
Now let us stop and rest awhile on this grassy knoll, and 
look more carefully at our game. What beauties they are ! Mark 
the splendid crest of long, dark, glossy, helmet-shaped feathers, 
growing broader at their ends, and curving so gracefully for¬ 
wards. What a clear, pure colour is that of their back! and 
how artistically is its uniformity relieved by the pretty, deep, 
purplish-red and white of the long feathers of the sides, that 
curl over the edges of the wings and seem to hold them up ! 
And what a regular double row of yellow scallops there is adown 
each side of the back ! How pure a black spot in the middle of 
the belly ! What a fine contrast is presented by the chestnut 
crown and black throat, each hemmed so neatly by a border of 
white ! And so plump ! and such a deliciously fragrant odour 
n. s.— VOL. II. 
E 
