the ocean. Seeds of Bromus altissimus, Madia satirn, and a tribe of plants allied to Wedelia, catkins of
Corylus, leaves of Fragaria, and various insects are their common food. Nest on the ground in thickets of
Pteris, Aspidium, Rtibus, Rhamntis, and Ceanoihus, neatly built with grass and dry leaves, secreted with so
much caution, that without the help of a dog they can hardly be found. Eggs 11 to 15, yellowish white,
with minute brown spots; large in proportion to the bird. Pair in March. Common in the interior of
California, and during the summer months extending as far northward as 45° north latitude, that is, within
a few miles of the Columbian valley. Several pairs, male and female, which I prepared with great care in
the interior of California, in November 1826, I had the misfortune (too painful to dwell upon) to lose, with
a multitude of treasures, botanical and zoological, crossing one of the rapid tributary streams of the river
Midtnomah, near its source in the mountains, on my return northwards. On this occasion I lost the labour
of fifty-four days of fatigue and anxiety, the too frequent attendants of such undertakings.”
Mr. Douglas states that the female differs from the male in having the head and breast light fuscous
brown, the middle of the feathers black; the crest half an inch long; the throat whitish or light grey; the
belly light grey waved with black, less bright than the male, and the under coverts of the tail foxy-red; but
after due consideration of the subject I am of opinion that this must be the description of the female of
some other bird, or that the O. picta of Mr. Douglas must be distinct from the birds here represented, the
smaller of which I am induced to regard as a female, in consequence of her being less brilliant in all her
markings, and having a much shorter crest; indeed it is only my desire to secure to this gentleman, who
has done so much in the cause of science, all the merit that may be due to him, that induces me to treat his
0 . picta as identical with my O.plumifera, and to retain his name in preference to my own.
Habitat, California.
The figures are of the natural size.