ioo The Partridge Family 



even in scanty cover, resembling in their ways 

 the young of C. virginianus. Their food is 

 chiefly insects until they are well grown, when 

 seeds, berries, and various green growths are 

 added. Owing to the ravages of gunners and 

 trappers, the birds are now comparatively scarce 

 in many of their old-time strongholds. 



THE VALLEY PARTRIDGE 

 (L. c. vallicola) 



Only a very close observer could detect the 

 slight difference in plumage — the general paler 

 tone — which distinguishes this from the preced- 

 ing species. In habits, food, coloring, and mark- 

 ing of eggs, the variation, if any exist, is too 

 slight to require comment, while in speed of foot 

 and lack of those qualities which endear a bird 

 to sportsmen the two are worthy rivals. The 

 California partridge is a bird of the coast, while 

 this one is found in the interior of California, 

 Nevada, Oregon, and Utah, introduced in the 

 last named. It is hardy, and in spite of its name 

 is found on the mountains of Lower California at 

 an elevation of between eight and nine thousand 

 feet. Here, during the occasional very dry seasons, 

 it does not breed, the packs remaining unbroken 

 until more favorable conditions occur. This 

 curious fact, of course, means the non-production 

 of young for a season, which, in the opinion of 



