Page:Condor11(2).djvu/7

 Mar., 1909 DISTRIBUTION AND MOLT OF THE MEARNS QUAIL 41 merges into the true C. monlezumce can not well be shown, and I have tried merely to indicate the distribution in the United States. The vertical range seems to be approximately from 4000 to 9000 feet, but whether it breeds thruout this range I can not say. I have seen quite young birds at something over 9000 feet. During a visit to the country of the Mearns Quail, finding the species abun- dant, and in the midst of the autumnal molt, I took advantage of the opportunity to secure a number of the birds, including a series that illustrates very well the manner in which the first winter plumage of the male is acquired. This was in FIG. i--SERIES OF NIEARNS QUAIL ILLUSTRATING POST-JUVENAL MOLT OF THE MALE October and November, too late to secure any downy young, the youngest ones seen being in the "juvenal plumage" which is retained in its entirety for but a very short time. Figure 1, including eight immature males in various stages of change, and one adult male in freshly acquired autumnal plumage, shows how the change in the underparts is accomplished. Number i is in the juvenal plumage, purely. The back is streaked, much as in the old bird, but head and underparts lack entirely the bold striking markings of the adult male. The breast and lower parts are spotted, but it is interesting to note, that, whereas in the old male the