136 



North American Birds Eggs. 



29 1. Masked Bob-white. Oiliiiu^ ridgurtyi. 



Range. — .Sonoran region of Mexico north to southern Arizona. 



This" handsome species is marked similarly to the Bob-white on the upper 

 parts, but has a black throat, and the rest of" the underparts are reddish lirown, 

 this color being lirightest on the breast. The female of this species is like that 

 of the Texan Bnli-white. Their nesting haliits and eggs are in all respects like 

 those of the other Bob-whites. Size of'eggs, 1.20 x .95. 



292. Mountain Partridge. Oirortyx pictus. 



Range. — Pacific coast of North America from California to Washington 



This is the largest of the Partridges, being 11 inches 

 in length. It is of a general grayish color, with 

 chestnut throat patch, and chestnut flanks, barred 

 with white. Two long plumes extend downward from 

 the back of the head. This species iiests abundantly 

 in the mountainous portions of northern California 

 and throughovit Oregon, and is gradually increasing 

 in numbers in Washington. As a rule, they nest 

 only on the higher mountain ranges, placing their 

 nest of leaves under the protection c.il an overlianging 

 bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number from six to 

 tifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color. Size 

 1.85 X 1.05. 



(Reddish 



292a. Plumed Partridge. Orcortyx pictus plumifcruf;. 



Range. — Mountain ranges of California and Lower California, chiefly in the 

 southern parts of the former. This species is like the latter except that it is 

 grayer on the back of the head and neck. Its nesting habits and eggs are like the 

 preceding. 



292b. San Pedro Partridge. Ornirtyx pictus cuniiiiis 



Range. — San Pedro Mountains, Lower California. 



This species, which is grayer above than the preceding two, breeds only in the 

 highest peaks of its range. Otherwise its nesting habits and eggs are the same 

 as the other Plumed Partridges. 



293. Scaled Partridge. Callipepla squanuiia. 



Range.— Mexico and southwestern border of the Ignited States. 



This blue gray species is 1(1 inches in length; the 

 feathers on the neck and underparts have narrow 

 dark borders, thus giving the plumage a scal.v 

 appearance, from which the birds take their name. 

 They have a small tuft of whitish or huffy feathers on 

 the top of the liead. It is especially abundant in the 

 dry arid portions of its range, lieing found often 

 many miles .away from water. Their eggs are laid in 

 a shallow hollow under some small bush or cactus, 

 and number from eight to si.xteen; they are creamy 

 white, finely specked with buff or pale brownish. 

 Size 1.25 X .its. 





[Crfuniy wliitu.J 



