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SMITHSONIAN MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTIONS VOL. I50 



Crested bobwhites are found in small coveys in thickets and along 

 the edge of woodlands bordering fields and savannas in the western 

 part of the Pacific slope. They are shy birds that often run, rather 

 than fly, and remain so well hidden that few persons become familiar 

 with them in the wild. Occasionally on less frequented country roads 

 a little flock may scurry quickly across in front of a car, but ordinarily 

 it is useless to try to follow them as they move rapidly and hide even 

 where there seems to be scanty cover. My best views of them have 

 been in early morning when they have come out from their usual 



Fig. 53. — Crested bob white, codorniz, Colinus cristatus, male. 



cover. On many occasions on open trails I have stopped my jeep and 

 have remained without moving, while a dozen or so came fearlessly 

 about. Then they walked or ran, often crouching, with a continuous 

 murmur of soft quail notes like those of bobwhites of related species 

 found through the extensive range of the genus from Canada to 

 northern South America. In feeding they peck strongly and rapidly 

 to expose whatever might be concealed in the ground, be it soft or 

 hard. 



When startled they may fly, but seldom more than 10 meters, to 

 the nearest cover, where they drop instantly out of sight, and then 

 usually disappear so that they may not be seen again. These short 

 flights though rapid are not strong. Once I saw a three-quarter- 



