The Mountain Quails 



of its range (0. p. picta) the bird comes down nearly to seadevel and 

 accepts dense cover. In the southeastern portion, namely, on the 

 eastern slopes of the desert ranges overlooking the Colorado Desert, the 

 Mountain Quail, according to Mr. Frank Stephens, ventures down and 

 nests at an altitude of only 500 feet. It is closely dependent here upon 

 certain mountain springs, which it visits in common with L. c. vallicola and 

 L. gambeli. Under certain conditions, therefore, its breeding range over- 



Taken in Fresno County 



MOUNT GODDARD, FROM THE SOUTH 



MOUNTAIN QUAIL COUNTRY 



the Author 



laps that of the Valley Quail. There are several instances on record of 

 nests containing eggs of both species, and at least one hybrid has been 

 found, 1 conjectured to be between 0. p. confinis and L. c. calijornica. 



The nesting of the Mountain Quail is conducted at the higher levels 

 of its range. Ten or a dozen eggs, of a rich buffy hue, unmarked, line a 

 scanty shakedown of grasses or pine needles, which almost invariably 

 enjoys the shelter of a projecting rock, an arching tree-bole, or a thicket 



1 In Harvey County, Oregon. See Condor, Vol. XIII., Sept. ion, pp. 140-151. 

 1574 



