OF NORTH AMERICA. 99 
to the thick covers which they frequent. The 
opinions of my various correspondents differ 
as whether they will lie well to the dog, 
some say yes and some no, but all agree that 
they furnish fine sport. 
iis -SCALED PARTRIDGE. 
BLUE QUAIL. 
Callipepla squamata. 
Predominating color leaden-blue, darker on 
the back. The distinctive feature of this bird 
is the peculiar shell-ike marking of the neck 
and breast, produced by the black edgings of 
the feathers. The crest is short, and com- 
posed of several feathers, but is not so promi- 
nent as in others of the crested quails. There 
is a large patch of reddish-brown on the belly, 
which in some specimens shades into chest- 
nut, giving rise to a variety known as casta- 
nogastris. ‘This latter variety inhabits the 
lower lands; and the main species, the table- 
lands of Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona. 
Length 11 inches. Extent 15 inches, being 
a little smaller than No. 110. 
112. CALIFORNIA PARTRIDGE. 
VALLEY QUAIL. (var.) 
Callipepla californica. 
Predominating color ashy, shaded with 
olive-brown. The breast is bluish-slate ; be- 
low this, on the under side, is a patch of 
