134 GALLINACEOUS BIRDS PARTRIDGES 



California partridge, when he is regarded as a game 

 bird. 



A few years ago it was customary to trap these 

 birds, and thousands of dozens were sent to the San 

 Francisco markets. At one station the express agent 

 shipped no fewer than three thousand dozens in a 

 season (1889-90). The price was as low as 60 cents a 

 dozen. It is no wonder that the birds rapidly de- 

 creased in numbers and were threatened with exter- 

 mination. Arizona now has good game laws, and 

 these are executed. Trapping is prohibited at all 

 times, as it should be, and it is a misdemeanor to ship 

 these birds from the Territory. 



The Indians snare many of these partridges, and use 

 the plumes as ornaments, but they do not kill the 

 birds, but release most of them, having deprived them 

 of the plumes. 



Dr. Coues tells of killing with mustard-seed shot a 

 wolf which he found hunting a covey of these birds. 

 I once made a similar shot at a fox which was pointed 

 by my dog at the same time with a covey of par- 

 tridges (the Bob-whites). 







THE SCALED-PARTRIDGE 



I once had a covey of these beautiful birds, often 

 called the blue-quails or partridges, in captivity, and 

 had an opportunity of observing their speed, as they 

 ran about the sides of the room, close to the wall. I 

 was prepared to bet on my birds in a race against all 

 comers. I doubt if any of the Californians or Mr. 

 Gambel's birds could beat them. Their leg power was 



