The eggs of this species are white with a roseate tinge in unblown specimens, and are marked with spots of reddish and purplish brown, varying in size and number, but chiefly collected about the larger end. From the Cliff Swallow's eggs, they differ in having finer spots, and in being smaller and rather more elongated. Specimens from different localities, and even in this region, show marked variations in length, some being .95 of an inch, and others; not more than .74. The same bolds good with respect to the width; the greatest being .63 of an inch, and the least .50. The average dimensions are .77 by .55 of an inch. The number of broods generally raised is two, the latter often as late as the last of July, or the beginning of August. This is not always the case, especially when the season has been unusually delayed by means of the weather, or when the natural instinct has been unaccountably restrained.
[Original Size]
Plate XV.—LOPHORTYX CALIFORNICA, Bonaparte.—The Valley Quail of California.
The Valley Quail—so called in contradistinction to the Plumed or Mountain Quail, which inhabits hills and highlands—has an exceedingly limited range. It abounds in all the valleys of California and Oregon, both inland and maritime, but never in the forest-depths, nor on the mountain-tops, nor in the interior basin where there is a dearth of water and vegetation. In the spring of 1857 these birds were introduced into Washington Territory, on the grassy plains near Puget Sound, where they soon established themselves.
According to Dr. Cones, who has paid special attention to the distribution of our birds, the present species ranges from the Columbia River to Cape St. Lucas. In California it is chiefly restricted to the country west of the Sierra Nevada, which, with the Great Colorado Desert, is said to constitute an apparently impassable barrier between it and Gambel's Partridge—a very near relative. Up the mountains a higher elevation than three or four thousand feet is never known to be attained, the region beyond being occupied by the Mountain Quail.
Prairies and grain-fields, and thickets along the borders of streams, are noted places of resort. Coveys of from a dozen to a hundred or more individuals may be seen in such places, during the non-breeding season, busily employed in gleaning, or in some sort of diversion. Although comparatively tame, and permitting a very near approach, yet when disturbed, they betake themselves to the bushes or trees. When to the latter, they squat so closely along the branches, as to escape the keen sight of pursuers. It will not lie to a dog, as our Eastern species is wont to do, but runs until driven to seek safety in flight.
Throughout California these birds are often domesticated, and made to consort with the common barnyard fowl. A similar practice might be tried in the East with happy results. That it would succeed, there can be no reasonable doubt. A few years ago, an attempt was made to introduce them into Long Island, which was only partially successful. But the demands of New York epicures soon led to their extermination.