136 



NORTH AMERICAN BIRDS EGGS. 



291. Masked Bob-white. Colinus ridgwayi. 



Range. Sonoran region of Mexico north to southern Arizona. 



This handsome species is marked similarly to the Bob-white on the upper 

 parts, but has a black throat, and the rest of the underparts are reddish brown, 

 this color being brightest on the breast. The female of this species is like that 

 of the Texan Bob-white. Their nesting habits and eggs are in all respects like 

 those of the other Bob-whites. Size of eggs, 1.20 x .95. 



292. Mountain Partridge. Oreortyx pictus. 



Range. Pacific coast of North America from California to Washington. 



This is the largest of the Partridges, being 11 inches 

 in length. It is of a general grayish color, with 

 chestnut throat patch, and chestnut flanks, barred 

 with white. Two long plumes extend downward from 

 the back of the head. This species nests abundantly 

 in the mountainous portions of northern California 

 and throughput Oregon, and is gradually increasing 

 in numbers in Washington. As a rule, they nest 

 only on the higher mountain ranges, placing their 

 nest of leaves under the protection of an overhanging 

 bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number from six to 

 fifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color. Size 

 1.35 x 1.05. 



292a. Plumed Partridge. Oreortyx pictus plum iferus . 



Range. Mountain ranges of California and Lower California, chiefly in the 

 southern parts of the former. This species is like the latter except that it is 

 grayer on the back of the head and neck. Its nesting habits and eggs are like the 

 preceding. 



292b. San Pedro Partridge. Oreortyx pictus confinis 



Range. San Pedro Mountains, Lower California. 



This species, which is grayer above than the preceding two, breeds only in the 

 highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs are the same 

 as the other Plumed Partridges. 



[Keddish buff. 



293. Scaled Partridge. Callipepla squamata. 



Range. 



Mexico and southwestern border of the United States. 



This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the 

 feathers on the neck and underparts have narrow 

 dark borders, thus giving the plumage a scaly 

 appearance, from which the birds take their name. 

 They have a small tuft of whitish or buffy feathers on 

 the top of the head. It is especially abundant in the 

 dry arid portions of its range, being found often 

 many miles away from water. Their eggs are laid in 

 a shallow hollow under some small bush or cactus, 

 and number from eight to sixteen; they are creamy 

 white, finely specked with buff or pale brownish. 

 Size 1.25 x .95. 



-hite.j 



