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INTRODUCTION. 13
gical
an generic terms are now generally adopted for two distinct sections of the group; for a third the ap-
a pellation of Callipepla was proposed by Wagler, and Lophortyx by Bonaparte; the former term, having
ci the priority, is the one retained. Considerable diversity of opinion exists with regard to the propriety
yhich i 2 .
Abed of giving names to these subdivisions of families, but this is a point upon which I need not here
he
enter: that such divisions do really exist, will, I think, be apparent to all who will carefully examine
this or any other large group of birds; and my own observations lead me to believe, that wherever
structural differences, however slight, are found to exist, a difference will also be found in habits and
‘es of 7 ‘ :
economy; and that the members of each of these sections will possess a character of plumage common to
ecies : : : : age :
themselves, but not to the whole group. With certainly the most entire series of this tribe of birds that has
<tend i > : ; B
: ever been brought together, from which to draw my deductions, I may state, that the genera or subgenera <I
alarls must not be confined to three or four, but must extend to six or seven; for the first of which I propose to la
ae : 5 ct)
veral retain Mr. Stephens’s name of vd
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most a
: - MY Ww
e fact ORTY X,
more
. WITH THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERS :-—
a of Rostrum breve et robustum; culmine gradatim a basi descendente, tomiis acutis; mandibula inferiore recta, et
ae apicem versus denticulis duobus vel pluribus instructa; naribus magnis, et operculo obtectis; orbitis vel plu-
pe cies : 7
foul mosis, vel aliquanto denudatis; verticis plumis paulo elongatis; ale concave, mediocriter elongate, pri-
doubts
mariis rigidis; quartdé, quinté et sextd longioribus; cauda brevis, et e plumis duodecim integris confecta ;
tarsi, cum digitis et unguibus, modice elongati, digitis anticis membrana basali conjunctis, digito interno
a ceeteris breviore.
) YD 7 ;
group, Y
] . . . “7 ° ‘
ot the Bill short and stout; culmen gradually descending from the base; tomia sharp; lower mandible straight, and By
‘st and armed near the tip with two or three dentations ; nostrils large, and covered with an operculum ; orbits either BY
and a =
C . . Dj
5 plumed or very slightly denuded; feathers of the crown slightly elongated; wings concave and moderately y
hese cS ‘ - : 7 a
long ; primaries rigid, the fourth, fifth and sixth the longest ; ¢ai/ short, and composed of twelve well-developed yy
ence v i : be {
feathers ; farsi spurless, and with the toes and nails moderately long; anterior toes united at the base by a (
+ 5}
membrane, the inner toe the shortest. 2
hat t <]
|e,
the . . ° . . oe . . . ca
The section is strictly a northern one; one species inhabiting the United States and extending its range
aa to Mexico and Jamaica, another Cuba and probably Mexico, and the three others are, I believe, confined to
; a Mexico.
Tet
posed Most of the members of this group are about the size of the European Quail. They go in coveys,

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