45 AMERICAN ORNITHOLOGY 



MOUNTAIN PARTRIDGE. 



A. O. V J^o. 292- {Oreorlyjc pictuj.) 



RANGE. 



The Pacific coast of the United States from middle California through 

 Oregon and Washington. It is a resident where found. 



DESCRIPTION. 



Length, lo inches; extent of wings, i6 inches; tail, 3.5 inches; eye, 

 brown; feet, brown. Adult, upper parts and wings olive brown, top of 

 head, neck and breast, slate color; throat, chestnut bordered with line of 

 black; white extending from base of bill over the eye and down the sides 

 of the neck; sides, chestnut barred with black and white; belly, white; 

 under-tail coverts, black. 



NEST AND EGGS. 



The nest of this partridge is usually placed in a clump of weeds, grass, 

 or more often of ferns, well concealed from view, and is composed of the 

 above-named materials. Their usual site is near an opening in the woods, 

 or near the edge of timber, usually in thick wooded fields, rarely in an 

 open place. The eggs, generally from eight to twelve in number, are 

 usually deposited from the latter part of May to the middle of June. The 

 eggs vary in color from a pale cream to a rich buff color, and are unspot- 

 ted. 



HABITS. 



This large, handsome partridge dog can tell when or where they 



is only found near the coast line, will rise. 



and while quite common in some Dr. A. G. Prill of Scio, Ore., 



localities, is not seen so often by writes: "This beautiful partridge 



the casual observer, as they run is abundant in and around the 



quite a ways before flying. foot-hills of the Cascade mountains 



Their food consists of insects in Oregon. 1 have found them 



and seeds of various kinds. They within thirty miles of the summit 



never refuse grain if it is obtaina- of these mountains. During the 



ble. winter months they congregate in 



Its flesh is very good to eat, and large bands, fifteen to fifty birds 



large numbers are shot by sports- often being seen together. Their 



men, while more are trapped and nesting season is the month of 



snared for market. Their habit June, although sets are found in 



of running a distance before fly- May and July, 



ing often prevents their destruc- "1 believe in many instances two 



tion, as neither the man nor his broods are raised in a season. 



