32 Where to Hunt 



flocks must be broken up to use the dog successfully ; 

 the birds often perch on the limbs of trees. 



Mountain quail are less common than the valley 

 quail. They are found throughout the entire length of 

 the state in the Sierra Nevadas; not, however, in large 

 flocks. Excepting in very severe weather, mountain 

 quail generally inhabit the higher plateaus or mesas, in 

 southern California, ranging in the Sierra Nevadas in 

 summer from about 2,000 feet altitude up to about 

 9,000. In the Coast Range they are found as far south 

 as Monterey county, breeding there from sea-level up- 

 ward. They avoid the large interior valleys of the 

 state. They are difficult birds to flush, seeking escape 

 by running rather than taking to wing. 



Gambel's quail is another representative of the quail 

 family to be found in California. These birds frequent 

 thick underwood near the mesquite trees, and are usu- 

 ally wilder than the other quail ; they are not found 

 west of the Sierra Nevadas. 



Oregon ruffed grouse are found only in the north- 

 western part of California ; they are common in Hum- 

 boldt county, and become more plentiful northward. 



Sooty grouse are excellent game-birds; they are 

 found in the mountains north of San Francisco, and in 

 the Sierra Nevadas south to Yosemite valley, probably 

 considerably farther. In the latter half of August and 

 in September they afford fine sport. 



Richardson's grouse, it is stated, may occur in north- 

 eastern California. These birds have been shot about 

 Lake Harney in Oregon, not far from the line. 



Sage-cock or sage-grouse are found in the semi- 

 desert or sage-brush country, east of the Sierra Nevadas 



