(Callipepla elegans)
Along the western slope of the Sierra Madre range in the state of
Sonora, Mexico, is to be found another member of the blue quail family
whose habits appeal strongly to the sportsman. This species, known as
the elegant quail, is one of the most handsomely marked of the group.
From the blending of the white throat of the bobwhite with the black
one of the gambel, and the brown of the back of the one with the blue
of the other, together with a marked resemblance in its call to that
of the bobwhite, suggests the possibility of its origin having
resulted from a cross of the two genera. I may add that both the
gambel and a species of the =Collinus=, bobwhite, are found in this
same section.
The elegant quail is generally found in and around the cultivated
fields which they seem to prefer to the open country. While the
elegant quail will walk leisurely in front of their pursuer until too
closely approached, they can in no sense be termed runners. When
flushed they take to cover and lie closely. Like all the quail of
Mexico they have been hunted but little and need to be well scared
before they become properly educated to the gun. After a few days'
hunting I found them a very satisfactory game bird. Being found around
the fields, the grounds and cover were all that could be desired for
excellent sport.
=Color=--Male--Plume straight, upright feathers about an inch and a
quarter to an inch and a half in length, varying in color--possibly on
account of age--from a light lemon to a dark reddish orange. The
throat is finely mottled with small black and white dots, giving it a
dark gray appearance. The general color of the back and the wing and
tail coverts is a dark blue with about half of the exposed portion of
each feather tipped with a bright, rich brown. The breast and abdomen
is a light, ashy blue, profusely flecked with large, circular white
spots.
Female--The plume is about two-thirds the length of that of the male,
brown in color and barred with black. The breast and abdomen are
spotted like the male but the back is much the color of the English
snipe.
=Nest and Eggs=--The same as the other species of the blue quail.
=Measurements=--Same as the valley quail.
[Illustration: MASSENA QUAIL (Cyrtonyx montezuma)]