136 



North American Birds Eggs. 



29 1. Masked Bob-white. Colhiia ridguyiiji. 



Hanije. — f^cnioran reirion of Mexico north to southern Arizona. 



This handsome species is marked similarly to the Boh-white on the upper 

 parts, hut has a hlack throat, and the rest of the underparts are reddish hrown, 

 this color lieintr brightest on the breast. The female of this species is like that 

 of the Texan Bob-white. Their nesting habits anil eggs are in all respects like 

 those of the other Bob-whites. Size of eggs, l.liO x .95. 







gton. 



[Reddish 



292. Mountain Partridge. (Jrcortiix iiiiittx. 



Kange. — Pacific coast of North America from California to Washin 

 This is the largest of the Partridges, being 11 inches 

 in length. It is of a general grayish color, with 

 chestnut throat patch, and chestnut flanks, barred 

 with white. Two long plumes extend ilownward from 

 the back of the head. This species nests abundantly 

 in the mountainous portions of northern California 

 anil throughout Oregon, and is gradually increasing 

 ^,frr^ in numbers in Washington. As a rule, they nest 

 /'^{j'^ I mly on the higher mountain ranges, placing their 

 '" nest of leaves under the protection of an overhanging 



bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number from six to 

 fifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color. Size 

 l..S5x 1.05. 



292a. Plumed Partridge. Oreortyx pirtus pliimiferus. 



Range. — .Mountain ranges of California and Lower California, chieliy in the 

 southern parts of the former. This species is like the latter except that it is 

 grayer on the back of the head and neck. Its nesting habits and eggs are like the 

 preceding. 



292b. San Pedro Partridge. Oreortyx pict us confinis 



Kange. — San Pedro ^Mcnintains. Lower California. 



This species, which is grayer aliove than the preceding two, breeds only in the 

 highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs are the same 

 as the other Plumed Partridges. 



293. Scaled Partridge, ('(illiiicpld sinut mata. 



Range.— Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. 



This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the 

 feathers on the neck and underparts have narrow 

 dark borders, thus giving the plumage a scaly 

 appearance, from which the birds take their name. 

 They have a small tuft of wliitish or buffy feathers on 

 the top of the head. It is especially abundant in the 

 dry arid portions of its range, being found often 

 many miles away from water. Their eggs are laid in 

 a shallow hollow under some small bush or cactus, 

 anil number from eight to sixteen; they are creamy 

 white, finely specked with buff or pale l)ri)wnish. 

 Size 1.25 X .1)5. 



K'reainy white. J 



