THE BIRD BOOK 



292. Mountain Quail. Oreortyx picta picta. 



Range. — Pacific coast of North America from 

 California to Washingtou. 



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 ex- 

 tend downward from 

 the back of the head. 

 This species nests 

 abundantly in the 

 mountainous portions 

 of northern California 

 and throughout Oregon, 

 and is gradually in- 

 creasing in numbers in 

 Washington. As. a rule 

 they nest only on the 

 higher mountain ranges, placing their nest of 

 leaves under the protection of an overhanging 

 bush or tuft of grass. Their eggs number from 

 six to fifteen, and are of a pale reddish buff color. 

 Size 1.35x1.05. 



Reddish buff. 



Oreortyx picta plunti- 



4.x© J 



292a. Plumed Quail. 

 fera. 



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. 



Mountain Partridge 

 Scaled Partridgre. 



San Pedro Quail. 

 Oreortyx picta confinis. 



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 liabits and eggs are the 

 same as the other Plumed Partridges. 



2.9s. Scaled Quail. CalUpepla squamata squamatu. 



Range. — Mexico and southwestern border of tlie United States. 



This blue gray species is 10 inches in length; the 

 feathers on the neck and underparts liave harrow 

 dark borders, thus giving tlte plumage a scaly ap- 

 pearance, from which tlie birds take their name. 

 They have a small tuft of whitisli or huffy feathers 

 on the top of the head. It is especially abundant in 

 the dry arid portions of its range, being 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 sixteen; they are creamy 

 white, finely specked witli buff or pale brownish. 

 Size 1.25 X. 95. 



Creamy white. 



176 



