THE SCALED PARTRIDGE 



{Callipepia squamata.) 



One of the most interesting occasions The range of the Scaled Partridges 

 to break the monotony of a long ride on a is not very extensive. It extends from 

 New Mexican or Arizonian desert re- the tablelands of Mexico northward 

 gion is to come in view of a covey of the through central and western Texas into 

 beautiful Scaled Partridges, which are New Mexico, where it is quite well dis- 

 also known as the Blue or White Top- tributed and is fairly abundant, and 

 knot Quails. As they are familiar with southern Arizona where they are quite 

 stray companies of antelopes, cows and common in certain localities. Major 

 horses, they pay little attention to the Bendire quotes in his "Life Histories of 

 rider and allow him to approach within North American Birds," the observa- 

 a few yards. A sudden dash at them will tions of Mr. Herbert Brown, who says : 

 cause the birds to take a short flight to "I have seen this bird both far away 

 an arroyo or to a heavy growth of yucca from, and in the immediate vicinity of, 

 or cactus after which they will depend water, on the open valleys and plains, and 

 upon their legs for further escaping from also in the rough foothills of the moun- 

 an apparent danger, and it is remarkable tains." He also quotes the observations 

 how fast they can run and the distance to of Mr. E. W. Nelson, who says : "In 

 which they retreat when pursued. It is many instances I have found them far 

 indeed a beautiful and restful sight to from water, but they make regular visits 

 watch these birds as they run Indian file to the watering places." In certain lo- 

 in front of a rider. The soft shading of calities, Mr. Nelson found them fre- 

 a bluish color, of a portion of their plum- quenting the open plains, away from the 

 age, with the crescent shaped white water in the middle of the day, and in 

 markings, the pure white crest together the vicinity of the water late in the after- 

 with their fine bearing as they run be- noon. The writer observed the Scaled 

 fore you appeals to one's sympathy. More Partridges in Chihuahua, Mexico, in lo- 

 than once I have refrained from shooting calities where the nearest water was nine 

 them although they were sadly needed miles away, and at Teviston, Arizona, 

 for the food supply of the day. In Texas where the nearest water was at least fif- 

 and Chihuahua, Mexico, I have rarely teen miles from where the birds were 

 seen them in coveys of more than twenty- seen. They seem to avoid timbered areas 

 five and usually of not more than eight and at least in Arizona they always seem 

 or ten individuals. At Teviston, Ariz- to prefer the driest areas. Major Ben- 

 bna, near Fort Bowie, however, I have dire also found this to be the case. He 

 seen coveys of over one hundred birds, says : "I invariably found them back in 

 When one of these coveys is disturbed, the foothills and mesas from two to five 

 the birds will run away from the dis- miles distant from the river beds, which 

 turbing cause in several directions among are generally dry for the greater part of 

 the bushes or other vegetable growths the year." Such localities as Major 

 and are very soon out of sight. Finally, Bendire speaks of, are a favorite habitat 

 when all is quiet again, they are soon re- of various species of cacti, yuccas, dwarf 

 united by the utterance of their call- sage bushes and a few other plants which 

 notes. It is very seldom that they can can manage to exist in such barren areas. 

 be forced to rise in flight and so they Such places he found to be the favorite 

 must be procured by shooting them while home of the Scaled Partridges, 

 running on the ground. They- seldom, The nests of these Partridges, so far 

 if ever, alight in bushes or trees. as known, are always placed on the 



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