494 Colorado College Publication 



General Palmer also turned some out at Glen Eyrie. 



It is not known to which subspecies these birds belonged- 

 "California Quail" have for years been reported to occur in 

 the neighborhood of Turkey and Little Fountain Creeks but 

 none have been critically examined. They are no doubt the 

 Scaled Quail as this is often called "California Quail" col- 

 loquially. 



Dendragapus obscunis obscimis. Dusky Grouse. 



Resident in the mountains ; not common. 



The Dusky Grouse was probably never as abundant in El 

 Paso County as it is or has been in the mountains farther 

 west. It is usually found above 8,000 feet. It winters in the 

 green pine and spruce timber at the higher altitudes, but 

 probably most of the broods are raised somewhat lower down. 

 This species was no doubt killed by Pike when he made his 

 attempt to get to the Peak. In his account he speaks of it as 

 the "Pheasant." 



Pedioecetes phasianellus columbianiu. Columbian Sharp- 

 tailed Grouse. 



This species is not now known to exist in El Paso County, 

 though it was formerly common on Monument and Kettle 

 Creeks and along the Divide. Allen states that it was said to 

 be abundant, especially near Palmer Lake. This was in 1871. 

 In 1875 they were still comparatively common in certain 

 localities, and in September Df that year Aiken found numerous 

 tracks at Sand Creek, east of Colorado Springs, but failed to 

 see any birds, though it had been reported that they were 

 there. From Sand Creek he proceeded northward until he 

 struck the headwaters of Kettle Creek, and there found a 

 covey of seven or eight birds, from which one or two were 

 secured. The farthest point south that the species has been 

 seen about here is a bird flushed by Aiken near the Bates 

 ranch 40 years ago. 



