UPLAND GAME BIRDS 121 
two species may the lighter coloring of the latter be dis- 
tinguished. In habits they are alike, but in range they 
differ, the former being a coast bird and found from 
Monterey northward, while the latter occurs in the 
interior and southern valleys. In spite of being dubbed 
the Valley Partridge, it is found on the mountains of 
Lower California sometimes at an elevation of eight 
thousand feet. 
It breeds throughout suitable localities in Southern 
California, and is hunted wherever resident, though not 
so extensively as formerly, when it was the favorite game 
bird of that region. 
The eggs are laid on a mat of leaves or grass, or on 
the bare ground either in underbrush or in the farmer’s 
door-yard. Incubation requires three weeks, and usu- 
ally the hen alone broods the eggs. After the young 
are hatched they are kept in the underbrush or heavy 
stubble and can rarely be discovered, so expert at hiding 
are they. Like the California partridge they run to cover 
rather than fly, and they are so swift-footed that it 1s 
almost impossible to flush them. When the young are 
feeding, the adult males constantly call them, either to 
keep the covey together or to give warning of danger, 
and they answer each call with a faint piping note. This 
is not unlike the scatter call of the Eastern Bob White, 
but consists of two syllables in one tone, or one longer 
note. It is not unusual to come upon a covey of these 
when driving through the foothills and valleys of South- 
ern California, but the sensation is simply of something 
scampering into the brush rather than a definite sight 
