While the eastern half of the continent has but one genus of quail,
the Pacific Coast, including Mexico, is well supplied with five genera
and eighteen species, to which may be added four subspecies. Nine
species of the genus, =Colinus=, however, and two of the genus,
=Callipepla=, do not come into the United States.
Properly speaking we have no quail in America, all of our so-called
quail being partridges, but the use of the word "quail" has become so
common that these birds will, in all probability, be known as quail
for all time. But whatever the name, they are resourceful beyond
comparison, and gamy to the fullest degree; affording with dog and
gun the most enjoyable of all out-door sport.
[Illustration: MOUNTAIN QUAIL PLUMED QUAIL
(Oreortyx pictus) (Oreortyx pictus plumiferus)]