Obs. This species does not intimately resemble any other of its group, though partaking of their general style of colouring, and can be readily recognized by the student. Very fine specimens were obtained in Texas by Capt. McCown, which are now in the collection of Mr. George N. Lawrence, of New York, to whom we are indebted for an opportunity to figure the female. The latter does not resemble the male in colour. Our figures are about two-thirds of the natural size. [Illustration: Plate 9 Gambels Partridge Callipepla Gambellii (_Nuttall_)] CALLIPEPLA GAMBELII.—(Nuttall.) Gambel’s Partridge. PLATE IX.—Male and Young Female. Mexico and the adjacent parts of the United States are particularly productive of game birds, and amongst them are several species of Partridges, unrivalled in beauty of plumage by those of any other country of the world. Of those, some prefer fertile valleys, or grounds under cultivation; others appear to live almost entirely in the barren plains, or in the mountains. Independently of the usefulness of those birds as food, to the citizens of the States alluded to, and to those who, in future years, shall occupy with their farms and homesteads districts yet unpeopled, the numerous game birds must always be a source of constant interest and amusement. Like the Deer, and like the Turkey, Grouse, and Partridge of other States, their pursuit is not only an easily attainable amusement, but serves also for the cultivation of a knowledge of, and expertness in the use of firearms, which are peculiarly characteristic of our vigorous and successful population, and have contributed in an important degree to the formation of the character of the world-renowned citizen-soldier of the United States. Experience in hunter life, and the incidental influences of its occupations and associations, are no inconsiderable features in American education; and the invigorating and healthful pursuits of the youthful hunter or trapper have always appeared to us to be no unimportant agents in the development of his physical and of his intellectual constitution. In large portions of every State of the Union, the gun or the rifle is the favourite companion of almost every boy from the earliest period of his competency for its management; and we have seen abundant instances, in our early days, of very considerably forced presumption of competency. In fact, the stranger, in very many of the rural districts of the United States, might almost be tempted to conclude that the famous ancient formula of early education had been adopted, with an addition: “Learn to speak the truth and to swim”—and to shoot.