64 FiGGiNS, Ultraminute Distinctions. [jan. 



These birds, unlike the Bobwhite, immediately sought the bench 

 lands: where they were undisturbed by irrigation and repeated 

 harvesting of alfalfa, — elements that had proven disastrous to the 

 latter. Finding excellent cover there and rearing two broods a 

 season, their increase was phenomenal; and through natural 

 processes and stocking additional sections, the birds were soon 

 abundant throughout the entire region. Broadly speaking, the 

 Gambel's Quail may now be considered as occupying all suitable 

 localities within the drainage areas of the Uncomphgre and Gunni- 

 son rivers and the lower valley of the Grand river Avithin the state. 



This region is of a sedimentary nature, deeply eroded by glacial 

 action and ancient water courses, and is characterized by broad 

 valleys laterally terminating in morainal benches or high mesas. 

 While orchards and agricultural activities are much in evidence, 

 the broken country is undisturbed, and there the quail find excel- 

 lent cover in the thick growth of "chico" and sage. 



Since the precipitation is but 8.31 inches the region may be 

 considered as arid: with temperatures ranging from —16° to 

 + 104° at Grand Junction to probably —35° nearer the main range 

 of mountains. The altitude varies from 5,500 ft. at the Utah-Colo- 

 rado boundary to 6,000 ft. at Somerset, Gunnison Co. 



A doubtful record of Gambel's Quail is credited to Colorado (see 

 Cooke's 'Birds of Colorado') but the distance given by Sclater, 

 (see Sclater's 'A History of the Birds of Colorado') as he 

 agrees, would evidently assign the locality to New Mexico. That 

 this record is referable to the introduced birds is extremely unlikely; 

 and equally so is the possibility of their presence in the western 

 part of the state due to migrations from the south; for although 

 they are known to occur at considerable altitude, a mountain range 

 of large extent separates the two regions,— averaging more than 

 10,000 ft.^ 



With a view of affording comparison of specimens from the two 

 localities, both California and Colorado birds are described below. 



1 Three months continuous systematic collecting along the southern boundary 

 of Colorado from the Utah Une to the Rio Grande river failed to reveal the slight- 

 est trace of Gambel's Quail except a single specimen taken by H. H. Sheldon at 

 Elco, La Platta Co., in June of this year, and five specimens at Cortez, Montezuma 

 Co. The former capture is probably due to the introduction of these quail at 

 Himtington, New Mexico, and the latter to recent introductions at Cortez. 



