84 
BIRD LIFE IN WASHINGTON 
men. “It’s a grouse’s nest or a pheas¬ 
ant’s, or something. Sam Button found 
another near it, and Carl Peterson found 
one a mile from there.” 
Sure enough away out there upon the 
lonely hill side now half bare by the work 
t/ t/ 
of the loggers, was Sooty Grouse’s nest. 
The logs still lay thick upon the ground 
and some trees and stubs were still stand¬ 
ing. It was an ideal place for the land 
game birds. 
Sooty Grouse is the big soot colored 
bird, sometimes called the Blue Grouse. 
We searched in vain for the other nest 
which we were told was hidden near it. 
The next day we sought out the tinder, 
and he led us to the spot. To my great 
delight it was Mountain Quail nest. 
This home is hard to find and, by be¬ 
ing too familiar with it, I had spoiled one 
containing one egg, two weeks before. I 
grieved over the ruin I had made; so, 
when I saw that this, too, was Mountain 
Quail’s nest, I sat down by it and clapped 
my hands for joy. Here was the complete 
secret, twelve creamy white eggs. This 
time I Avas not insulting Mrs. Quail’s in¬ 
telligence. She can take care of tAvelve 
eggs, not just one. 
Mountain Quail is the quail with the 
tAvo long black plumes extending back- 
Avards from his crown. He is browner 
than California Quail. Haven’t you met 
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