114 LAND BIRDS 



292. MOUNTAIN CARTRIDGE. — Oreortj/.xpidus. 



F AMiLY : The Grouse^ Partridges, Quails, etc. 



Leiigth: 10.00-11.12. 



Adult Male: Crest black ; back and upper parts olive-brown, striped 



on sides of back with light brown ; top of head and entire breast 



slate-color ; throat and sides dark red-brown ; sides barred with 



black and white. 

 Adult Female : Crest shorter, otherwise like male. 

 Young : Upper parts grayish brown, speckled with white ; breast graj', 



with wedge-shaped white spots ; a whitish line over the ear ; belly 



white; sides washed with chestnnt. 

 Geographical Distribution : Humid transition zone of Pacific coast region, 



from about latitude 35° to Southern Washington. 

 Breeding Range : Nearly coincident with its habitat. 

 Breeding Season : April and IVlay. 

 Nest : A slight depression in the ground, lined sparingly with dry 



leaves ; placed beside or under a fallen tree or a bush. 

 Eggs: 8 to 13 ; plain light buflF. Size 1.36 X 1.02. 



The Mountain Partridge of the coast belt is so nearly 

 like the plumed partridge of the Sierra Nevada in habits 

 and coloring as scarcely to need a separate description. 

 Both are designated as "mountain quail" in the com- 

 mon parlance, and it is about as difficult to obtain a 

 satisfactory view of one as of the other. The plumed 

 partridge is said to measure a trifle less than this species, 

 but in the field the only distinguishing marks are the 

 grayer tone of the back and the bluisli nape, all of which 

 makes it difficult to differentiate the species. The 

 Range is possibly the best guide for an amateur in iden- 

 tifying the species. 



(For habits see '' Plumed Quail.") 



