PERDICID^ — THE PARTRIDGES. 489 



Though found in the same section of country with Gambel's Quail, they were 

 not observed to associate together in the same tlock. Their favorite resorts 

 were sandy chaparral and mesquite bushes. Through these they ran with 

 great swiftness, resorting only, when greatly alarmed by a sudden approach, 

 to their wings. They were very shy, and were seldom found near habita- 

 tions, though once a large covey ran through his camp in the suburbs of 

 El Paso. 



Colonel McCall (Proc. Phil. Ac. V, p. 222) mentions meeting with this 

 species throughout an extended region, from Camargo, on the Lower Eio 

 Grande, to Santa Fe. They were most numerous between the latter place and 

 Dona Ana, preferring the vicinity of watercourses to interior tracts. They 

 were wild, exceedingly watchful, and swift of foot, eluding pursuit with sur- 

 prising skill, scarcely ever resorting to flight even on the open sandy ground. 

 For the table they are said to possess, in a high degree, the requisites of 

 plump muscle and delicate flavor. 



In a subsequent sketch of this species, quoted by Mr. Cassin, the same 

 writer gives as the habitat the entire valley of the Eio Grande, — a terri- 

 tory of great extent from north to south, and embracing in its stretch 

 between the Eocky Mountains and the Gulf of Mexico every variety of 

 climate. This entire region, not excepting even the mountain valleys cov- 

 ered in winter wuth deep snow, is inhabited by it. It was found by him 

 from the 25th to the 38th degree of north latitude, or from below Monterey, 

 in Mexico, along the borders of the San Juan Eiver, as high up as the Taos 

 and other northern branches of the Eio Grande. He also found it near the 

 head of the Eiado Creek, which rises in the Eocky Mountains and runs east- 

 wardly to the Canadian. 



Wherever found, they are always resident, proving their ability to endure 

 great extremes of heat and cold. In swiftness of foot, no species of this 

 family can compete with them. When running, they hold tlieir lieads high 

 and keep the body erect, and seem to skim over the surface of the ground, 

 their white plume erected and spread out like a fan. 



On the Mexican side of the Eio Grande this species is found farther south 

 than on the western bank, owing to the rugged character of the country. In 

 Texas its extreme southern point is a little above Eeinosa, on the first high- 

 lands on the bank. 



Don Pablo de la Llave, a Mexican naturalist, states, in an account of tins 

 species (Eegistro Trimestre, I, p. 144, Mexico, 1832), that he attempted its 

 domestication in vain. In confinement it was very timid, all its movements 

 were rapid, and, although he fed his specimens for a long time each day, 

 they seemed to become more wild and intractable. It was found by him 

 in all the mesquite regions of Northern Mexico. 



Specimens of this Partridge were taken near San Pedro, Texas, by Mr. J. H. 

 Clark, and in New Leon, Mexico, by Lieutenant Couch. According to Mv. 

 Clark, they are not found on the grassy prairies near the coast. He met with 



VOL. III. 62 



