26 FRANK SCHLEY'S PARTRIDGE AND PHEASANT SHOOTINO. 



ous, and is always even and direct, and in shooting only 

 t requires a quick hand and eye. 



In his journey from Arizona to the Pacific, Dr, Cones 

 found these birds singularly abundant along the Valley of 

 the Colorado ; and he was again struck with its indifference 

 as to its place of residence, being equally at home in scorched 

 mesquite thickets, dusting itself in sand that would blister 

 the naked feet, the thermometer at 117 Fah. in the shade, 

 and in the mountains of Northern Arizona, when the pine 

 boughs were bending under the weight of the snow. He 

 also states that Dr. Cooper, while at Fort Mohave, brought 

 up some Gambel's Quails by placing the eggs under a com- 

 mon Hen, and found no difficulty in domesticating them, 

 so that they associated freely with the barnyard fowls. 

 The eggs, he adds, are white, or yellowish-white, with 

 brown spots, and were hatched out in twenty-four days. 

 The nest is said to be a rather rude structure, about eight 

 inches wide, and is usually hidden in the grass. The eggs 

 number from twelve to seventeen. 



Captain S. G. French, quoted by Mr. Cassin, writes that 

 he met with this species on the Bio Grande, seventy miles 

 below El Paso, and from that point to the place named 

 their numbers constantly increased. They appeared to be 

 partial to the abodes of man, and were very numerous 

 about the old and decayed buildings, gardens, fields, and 

 vineyards around Presidio, Isoleta, and El Paso. During 

 his stay there in the summer of 1851, every morning and 

 evening their welcome call was heard all around ; and at 

 early and late hours they were constantly to be found in 

 the sandy roads and paths near the villages and farms. In 

 the middle of the hot summer days, however, they rested 

 in the sand, under the shade and protection of the thick 

 chaparral. When disturbed, they glided through the bushes 

 very swiftly, seldom resorting to flight, uttering a peculiar 

 chirping note. The parents would utter the same chirping 

 cry whenever an attempt was made to capture their young. 

 The male and female bird were always found with the 

 young, showing much affection for them, and even endeav- 



