QUAIL, GROUSE, ETC. 157 



feet. In some portions of Oregon it is very abundant, and 

 would be sought for by the sportsman with great assiduity, 

 were the regions that it inhabits more accessible. As it is, 

 it is not only hard to find but very difficult to secure when 

 once flushed, hiding easily from the dogs, which become 

 discouraged by repeated unsuccessful efforts to find it. 



The mountain partridge deposits its eggs on the ground, 

 on a bed of dead leaves, under a bush or tuft of grass or 

 weeds. Its habits are exceedingly like those of the bob- 

 white. From six to twelve eggs are laid, of a cream color, 

 with a reddish tint. They have been described as minia- 

 tures of those of the ruffed grouse, only distinguishable by 

 their smaller size. 



This partridge will usually run before the dog, is 

 flushed only with much trouble, and often takes to the 

 trees after being started. California is comparatively des- 

 titute of wood except on inaccessible mountain sites and 

 canons, localities preferred by these birds. It is not known 

 to descend to the valleys. 



THE SCALED PARTRIDGE* 



Throughout northwestern Mexico and the border of 

 the United States from western Texas to New Mexico 

 and southern Arizona, this handsome partridge, called the 

 Blue Quail, is found in abundance, especially on the dry 

 mesas of the San Pedro slope of the Santa Catahna moun- 

 tains, up to an altitude of three thousand five hundred feet. 

 In Arizona they are found in flocks of from six to ten, 

 sometimes more, in barren places, miles away from water. 



