Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian AmericaCassin, John
Science
Illustrations of the Birds of California, Texas, Oregon, British and Russian America
Cassin, John
Birds -- North America
“This beautiful bird, whose habits, in some respects, bear resemblance
to the common partridge, like that, seems to prefer a more genial and
hospitable region. In this part of the country, the Mesquite tree
(Acacia glandulosa) is more or less common; and the Mesquite grass, and
other plants bearing nutritious seeds, are abundant. Here, this
partridge increases rapidly in numbers, and becomes very fat; and, as I
afterwards ascertained, is much disposed to seek the farms, if any be
within reach, and to cultivate the acquaintance of man. About the rancho
of Mr. White, near El Paso, I found them very numerous; and here, in
flocks of fifty or a hundred, they resort, morning and evening, to the
barn-yard, and feed around the grain stacks, in company with the
poultry, where they receive their portion, as it is scattered amongst
them by the hand of the owner. I found them distributed through the
country from the Limpia to the Rio Grande, a range from east to west
exceeding one hundred miles; and along the Rio Grande, from Eagle Spring
Pass to Don Ana, a distance of one hundred and twenty miles. North of
this I did not see them. I was not among them during the season of
incubation.”
But the most comprehensive and complete account ever before published of
this Partridge, has been furnished by the same gentleman (Col. McCall)
for insertion into our present article; for which, and for many other
similar favours from him, we beg to tender our deep sense of obligation.
“Whilst in California, during the last summer, (1852,) I was enabled to
ascertain the western limit of this species as satisfactorily as I had
previously ascertained its eastern limit within the State of Texas. And,
although the extent of its range to the north is not yet clearly
established, it may be said that the portion of our territory inhabited
by this beautiful bird is a rather narrow belt of country, (say one
thousand miles long by two hundred broad,) embraced between the 31st and
34th parallels of north latitude, and extending from the Pecos river in
Texas to the Sierra Nevada and the contiguous desert in California. Be
it understood, however, that when I speak of a narrow belt of country
along a certain parallel, I do not intend to say that the _habitat_ of
the species does not extend beyond this belt into _Mexico_; but that the
river Gila being our southern boundary through the greater part of the
region referred to, the portion of our own territory inhabited by this
bird is confined to such a belt as I have indicated.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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