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There is much confusion still existing among naturalists as to 
the relationships which should properly be recognized between 
the partridges found on the opposite sides of the Atlantic,— 
some holding them to be distinct sub-groups, while others 
claim that the differences are not susceptible of definition to 
the extent of warranting a separation. 
Our well-known Common Partridge, or Quail, as it is 
frequently called ( Ortyx virginianus), is the most widely-dis¬ 
tributed species in North America, and has several marked 
varieties in the south-west and in Cuba. The female is lighter 
in color than the male, and has the buff of the neck replaced 
by white. 
On the Pacific coast several genera have the head beauti¬ 
fully ornamented with plumes of feathers rising in various 
shapes. Examples of this form are the Plumed or Mountain 
Partridge, ( Oreortyx pictus ), and the members of the genus 
Lophortyx from Arizona and California. 
The domestic fowl is the most widely-distributed member 
of the Gallince, being spread in various breeds over the whole 
world. The progenitor of this invaluable bird is supposed to 
be the wild Bankiva Cock ( Gallus bankiva ), which is a native 
of India. 
There are several species of Tinamous in South America, 
one of which, the Cinereous Tinamou ( Tinamus cinereus ) 
may be seen in the collection. These birds present some peculi¬ 
arities of structure so strongly marked that they have been 
placed in an order, Crypturi , by themselves. Mr. Darwin, 
speaking of the Tinamou in “The Zoology of the Voyage of 
the Beagle,” states that it approximates somewhat to the hab¬ 
its of the grouse, but that it rarely rises from the ground, and 
may be readily caught by a stick having a noose at the end. 
The order Steganopodes is composed of birds having all four 
toes fully connected by webs. They all have a more or less 
developed throat pouch; live upon fish, which they follow and 
catch in its native element, and are rarely found far from 
the sea-coast. Among the American representatives of the 
group which are usually to be found here, are the Common 
Gannet {Sula bassana ) and the Booby Gannet {Sula fiber), 
found along the Atlantic coast, the latter rarely ranging as 
high as the Middle States; the Brown Pelican (Pelecanus 
fuscus ), indigenous to the Southern States ; and the Common 
