CHECK-LIST OF COLORADO BIRDS 319 



plains are native. A few were introduced some years ago 

 into Estes Park, and are still occasionally noticed. 



293. Scaled partridge. CALLIPEPLA SQUAMATA. Resi- 

 dent ; common locally ; southern species, but more com- 

 mon than the bob-white at Rocky Ford, Col. 



294. California partridge. LOPHORTYX CALIFORNICUS. 

 Resident, local ; introduced at Grand Junction, Col., and 

 have flourished so abundantly as to become troublesome 

 to gardeners. 



295. Gambel's partridge. LOPHORTYX GAMBELII. Resi- 

 dent, rare ; known only in southwestern part of the 

 State ; a western species. 



297. Dusky grouse. DENDRAGAPUS OBSCURUS. Resi- 

 dent;' mountain dwellers; breed from 7,000 feet to 

 timber-line ; in September wander above timber-line to 

 12,500 feet, feeding on grasshoppers; remain in thick 

 woods in winter. 



300b. Gray ruffed grouse. BONASA UMBELLUS UMBEL- 

 LOIDES. Rare resident ; a more northern species, but a 

 few breed in Colorado just below timber-line ; winters 

 in higher foothills. 



304>. White-tailed ptarmigan. LAGOPUS LEUCURUS. Com- 

 mon resident ; one of the most strictly alpine species ; 

 breeds entirely above timber-line from 11,500 to 13,500 

 feet ; thence ranging to the summits of the highest peaks. 

 Only in severest winter weather do they come down to 

 timber-line ; rarely to 8,000 feet. In winter they are 

 white ; in summer fulvous or dull grayish-buff, barred and 

 spotted with black. This bird is colloquially called the 

 " mountain quail." The brown-capped leucosticte is the 

 only other Colorado species that has so high a range. 



