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CALLIPEPLA PICTA.

Plumed Partridge.

Spectric CHARACTER.

Call. capite, plumes duabus elongatis, et gracilibus cristum pendentem ngram efficientibus ornato ;
Zs 4 *, > ya 5 .
guld saturate castanea, ad latera albo marginata, pectore cinereo ; abdomine splendide castaneo

fascis nigris et fulors transversem notato.

Head ornamented with two long slender arched black feathers, rising from the vertex and
inclining towards the back ; crown of the head, back of the neck and chest deep ash-grey ;
throat deep chestnut, bounded on the sides by a line of white, and immediately beneath
the eye by a smaller streak of black ; lores dull white; all the upper surface olive-brown ;
tail brown, freckled with a darker tint; primaries brown, margined with a lighter tint ;
sides and abdomen deep chestnut, the outer line of feathers above edged with white; on
each side of the abdominal line the feathers are strongly and elegantly marked with alter-
nate bands of black and white.

Total length, 9s inches; bz/, 3; weng, 52; tail, 31; tarsi, 12; middle toe and nav, 1s.

Ortyx picta, Doug. in Linn. ‘Trans., vol. xvi. p. 167.—Vig. in Zool. Journ., vol. iv. p. 490.—
Less. Ill. de Zool., texte de pl. 52.—Jard. and Selb. [ll. Orn., vol. 1. Gen. Ortyx.

Ortyx plumifera, Gould in Proc. of Zool. Soc., Part V. p. 42.—Ib. in Icones Avium.

Perdix plumifera, Aud. Birds of Am., vol. iv. pl. 422. figs. 1 and 2.—Ib. Orn. Bio., vol. v.
p. 226.

Plumed Partridge, Aud. Birds of Am., 8vo, vol. v. p. 69. pl. 291.

 

 

For the discovery of this highly ornamental species we are indebted to the researches of the late Mr. David
Douglas, in whose baggage three specimens were found after his lamented and untimely death. It will be
seen by the synonyms given above, that I some years since characterized this bird under the name of Ortyx
plumifera, not being at the time aware that Mr. Douglas had previously described a bird of this genus (from
first journey) in the sixteenth volume of the “ Linnean Transactions” under the
bability is identical with the present species. Although his
ar with the birds characterized by me, and which are in the
iption is intended for the

the notes made during his

appellation of Ortyx picta, which in all pro

description does not accord in every particul

collection of the Zoological Society, little doubt remains on my mind that his descr
present bird: I therefore retain his name of picta, and allow that of plumifera to sink into a synonym.

«From October until March,” says Mr. Douglas, ‘“ these birds congregate in vast flocks, and seem to

- dreadful conflicts ensue between the males, which not unfrequently

live in a state of almost perpetual warfare 5
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
ing to outdo his neighbour in obtaining the prize. The voice is Quick-quick-quick, pronounced
ntle suspension of the voice between each syllable. At such times, or when surprised, the
ard over the beak, and the reverse when retreating, being brought backwards and
laid quite close on the back. Their favourite haunts are dry upland or undulating

in open woods, or coppice thickets of the interior; but during the severity of winter, when the ground 1s
ks to the more temperate places in the immediate vicinity of

endeavour
slowly, with a ge

crest is usually thrown forw
gravelly or sandy soils

covered with snow, they migrate in large floc

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