- . ■ -^ 



^-^n Odd Gdme Enemx-Gila tionster 



THE scaled partridge and the chestnuWiellied scaled par- 

 tridge are two excellent wild food birds, identical in appear- 

 ance save that the last named has a chestnut patch on the belly. 

 The birds are found in the Rio Grande Valley, Texas, and 

 Northern Mexico; the first named form is found also in New 

 Mexico, Southern Arizona and the Valley of Mexico. Like 

 the other Western birds they are runners. I once had a flock 

 in my room for a time, and the speed they made when they 

 started on a course around the room against the wall was most 

 remarkable. I would have backed them against the fastest 

 Gambels or Valley Quails that ever ran on a desert or prairie. 

 The country inhabited often is full of thorns which prevent 

 the use of dogs and render the shooting comparatively un- 

 interesting. Natural foods undoubtedly are sufficiently plenti- 

 ful in most parts of their range, since the birds once were very 

 plentiful. The control of their enemies would seem to be afl 

 that is necessary to perpetuate the birds for sport. 



MEARN'S QUAIL is an interesting bird. It is about the 

 size of bob-white, but it is unmistakable on account of its 

 peculiar markings. The head is black and brown, marked with 

 white as indicated in the illustration. The upper parts are brown 

 barred with black, the sides of the breast and flanks are almost 

 black and dotted with white, which causes the bird to look some- 

 thing like a dark little guinea hen. 



I have never shot this bird and, in fact, they are nowhere 

 common, and, possibly, now are extinct in the United States, 

 excepting the birds purchased and owned by breeders. Their 

 flesh is excellent and I have no doubt they can be made an 

 attractive addition to the game bag. 



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