161 
Introduced: 
European Grey Partridge, common partridge. Hungarian partridge. Perdix 
verdix. L t 12-6. Considerably smaller than our commoner Grouse but considerably 
larger than any of our so-called Quail. A very fine vermi- 
culated intermixture of black, white, rusty, and cream on 
back, neck, and breast; more rufous on lower back and nearly 
clear black and white with a general greyish effect on breast. 
Wing-coverts sharply shaft-streaked with cream. Flanks 
barred with white and chestnut. Face, throat, and superciliary 
line of tawny chestnut (Figure 185). A conspicuous double 
spot or horseshoe mark of rich chestnut occupies the upper 
abdomen. Sexes similar in coloration but female in duller 
tones. 
Distinction. The only partridge-like bird with such fine 
vermiculation, reddish throat, and chestnut abdominal patch. 
Field Marks. In localities to which it is likely to extend it 
cannot be mistaken for any other bird, the Ptarmigan being 
the only grouse-like bird of similar size or fine vermiculations. In flight it is dull, 
obscurely coloured, and shows a large amount of rufous brown in tail. 
Distribution. Europe and west-central Asia. Introduced in Alberta near Calgary 
about 1908 and now, 1923, has extended its range north nearly to Edmonton, south to the 
International Boundary, and east to the central parts of Saskatchewan. Within this 
area it thrives and good bags are being made in season. 
It was also introduced on southern Vancouver island and the adjoining 
mainland about 1905. Here, it met with varying fortune, but on the 
whole has become well established and is now present in fair numbers. It 
has also spread north from the state of Washington into the Okanagan 
district where it is increasing and spreading rapidly. 
The objection to the importation of foreign species does not apply as 
strongly to game birds as to others. Species that are systematically hunted 
for economic use are in very little danger of becoming too plentiful; the 
problem in such cases is one of conservation rather than of control as, 
should it be necessary, there are plenty of sportsmen ready to reduce their 
number without bounty, bonus, or other artificial incentive. If the 
shooters were to pursue the House Sparrow, Crow, or other vermin as 
assiduously as they do game birds, the problem of their control would soon 
be solved. Even so, there is one thing to be borne in mind — that we 
cannot have foreign species except at the expense of competing native 
ones. It is notable that wherever this or other introduced species have 
increased to any marked extent, the resident Grouse and Prairie Chicken 
have decreased in a similar degree. Sportsmen and the game departments 
of the various provinces should face this fact squarely and decide whether 
they prefer foreign to native game; they cannot well have both in the 
same area. 
Introduced: 
292. Mountain Quail (Including Plumed Quail). Oreortyx picta. L, 11-50 
Pale, olive-grey on back, lightening to clear, light, slate-grey on head, neck, and breast- 
Flanks conspicuously barred with dark brown alternating with white, between two bands 
of rich chestnut. The throat has a sharply defined chestnut patch, black edged, and 
bordered by a white crescent. The most striking ornament, however, is a long, black, 
pencil-like plume springing from the crown and falling over the back (Figure 186). The 
sexes are almost alike. 
Distinctions. Rich chestnut throat, flank bars, and the long pencil plume. 
Field Marks. Size, long, slender black plume, and chestnut on flanks. 
Figure 185 
Hungarian Partridge; 
scale, 
01054—11 
