56 GAME BIRDS OF NORTH AMERICA. 



ently hunted and trapped, has greatly decreased in num- 

 ber in many lacaHties where it was formerly very abundant, 

 and the large packs mentioned above are not very often 

 seen at the present time, except in districts far removed 

 from towns or villages, in which every man carries a gun. 

 The average number of eggs in the nest is about fifteen, 

 and they have a creamy white, or bufif ground color, 

 minutely dotted or blotched with chestnut-brown, olive- 

 gray, or pale rufous. The nest is almost always placed 

 on the ground, sometimes without any attempt at con- 

 cealment, but usually under some log or bush, or close 

 to a stump. Instances are known, however, where this 

 species has nested in trees at no great height from the 

 ground. Incubation is carried on for about three weeks, 

 and the young run as soon as hatched. 



The California Partridge is naturally of a tame and 

 confiding disposition, and, when not molested, will ap- 

 proach farm buildings and remain near the dwellings 

 feeding among the poultry, but, when much hunted, soon 

 becomes wild and wary, shunning man and all his belong- 

 ings. The food consists of seeds, berries, and tender 

 plants, and various insects, and it is upon these last that 

 the chicks are usually fed. The male does not assist the 

 females in incubating the eggs, but mounts guard close 

 at hand, and utters his call note at intervals. The old 

 birds tend the young carefully, and are very watchful of 

 any danger threatening their chicks, which at the first 

 note of warning scatter in all directions and hide under 

 anything that will afYord a cover, from a dried leaf to a 

 log or bush, and if nothing of the kind is at hand, will 

 squat upon the ground, remaining motionless until the 

 cause of their fear has departed. 



