? 
Panajache], San Lucas, Joyabaj, Chichicastenango, Totnicapan, Momostenango, Volcdn de 
Agua (Griscom). 
.--The drier country of the central highlands is the home of the ocel- 
Habits and Bunting 
Habits and Hunti the fields, and in open woodland from 
lated quail. It is found on the grassy slopes, in 
about 5,000 to 10,000 feet. 
Our first view of these beautiful birds was on the open pine slopes near 
Chimaltenango, where several were flushed within sight of the nearby grain fields. Others 
were observed on May 12, 1946, near San Juan Sacatepequez on a brushy and bracken covered 
Slope of open woodland. 
es caer (Griscom) found small flocks among the weeds in abandoned cornfields on 
the slopes of Volcdn de Agua. He also observed them in grassy areas on the ridges between 
Chichicastenango and Totonicapén at about 10,000 feet and in open pine forest near Momostenangg, 
They are reported to occur in many localities near the capital, chiefly in or 
near emall areas of cornfields and adjacent open pine woodland, but relatively few-in 
numbers. 
| Perhaps the first characteristic of these quail noticed by the hunter is that 
of lying so close that they are almost stepped upon before they flush. After they take 
wing they often fly some distance before alighting, especially if in open fields; then 
they are apt to run through the grass, which adds to the difficulty of relocating then. 
Regarding the habits of these quail at 6,400 to 7,000 feet in El Salvador, 
during February and March, Dickey and van Rossem commented that "three small flocks of a 
dozen or so birds each were known to live within a radius of a mile. It is not improb- 
able that these flocks were family groups which had remained together after the preceding 
breeding season, for at least some of the members had not, in late February and early 
March, fully completed the post juvenal molt." Resident hunters reported that the nesting 
season is from April to August. By September the birds are in coveys. 
A number of sportsmen in Guatemala are especially interested in quail hunting, 
and because of the proximity of this species to the capital, are particularly concerned 
with its increasing scarcity. Most of their quail shooting is done in nearby localities; 
the vicinities from Zumpango to Chimaltenango, Antigua, and San Juan Sacatepequez are 
favorite hunting grounds, 
It was reported by local hunters that the quail population has decreased greatly 
in recent years. Ten years ago a bag of about fifteen birds was considered good, they 
said, but now a bag of five probably is about average. 
The reductions in the population and in hunting success are attributed to the 
much greater extent of clearing and farming, increased hunting pressure, and extensive 
trapping. Much of the hunting pressure is blamed on the "escopeta negra," as the market 
hunter is called. Trapping on many farms by the use of simple traps such as the "figure 
four," and by snares is reported to account for many birds. The common snare is called 
alzapie, nets are redes, and the method of driving birds is termed el] arreo. 
"This partridge is easily shot over a dog, but after trying the sport with a dog 
of good blood, I concluded I would rather feed him on some other food and went home. The 
dog, however, could have eaten several more birds, had I been willing." (Griscom, quoting 
Anthony. ) 

37. Agriocharis ocellata (Cuvier) 
Ocellated Turkey 
Guatemalan: pavo, pajuil, ucutz ilchican (Maya) 
English: Petén turkey, spotted turkey, turkey 
Status.--This turkey is reported to be a common resident locally, though generally scarce 
in numbers. 
Description.--A large bird closely resembling our wild turkey (Meleagris), but differing 
in having, in the adult male, an erect, cylindrical knob on top of the head, a more rounded 
tail, and more brilliantly metallic coloration, and in lacking the throat beard. Head and 
upper neck bare and covered with scattered wart-like excrescences, the adult male with a 
soft, fleshy appendage dependent from the front of the forehead. 
50 
