. A glimpse of old Mexico; being the observations and reflections of a tenderfoot editor while on a journey in the land of Montezuma . ^ rich in its variety of galli-naceous game birds, their habitat being influenced more or lessby altitude. There are at least seven varieties of them withinthe scope of a days hunt of our mine. First and foremost, thereis the gorgeous and imperial wild turkey. Next in order is thefaisan, which resembles a turkey in its long neck, throat wattlesand general make-up a good deal more than a pheasant, theSpanish name for which it bears. It weighs about twelve pounds
. A glimpse of old Mexico; being the observations and reflections of a tenderfoot editor while on a journey in the land of Montezuma . ^ rich in its variety of galli-naceous game birds, their habitat being influenced more or lessby altitude. There are at least seven varieties of them withinthe scope of a days hunt of our mine. First and foremost, thereis the gorgeous and imperial wild turkey. Next in order is thefaisan, which resembles a turkey in its long neck, throat wattlesand general make-up a good deal more than a pheasant, theSpanish name for which it bears. It weighs about twelve pounds,has a fine gamey flavor, but is the most idiotic of birds, appar-ently going out of its way to be killed and therefore gives the truesportsman little joy. The cut herewith represents Johnny-on- A GLIMPSE OF OLD MEXICO 89 the-Spot and your humble servant supporting a recently slaught-ered faisan. Then comes the queche or chachalaca resemblingthe faisan but much smaller and more handsomely plumed, like-wise not overburdened with intellectual gifts. I have written ofthe queche in a previous letter. There is also a true grouse,. In the Mexican though very rare in these parts, for I have not seen over four orlive specimens. Two distinct and very large kinds of mountainquail are numerous. These are genuine game birds, strong ofwing and remarkably puzzling flyers when first flushed. No ap-prentice with a shotgun can land them. Last of all there is the 90 A GLIMPSE OF OLD MEXICO valley quail similar to our Californian quail, but smaller, very gameand toothsome no end. These make a royal collection for thesportsman and the field is likely to remain a good one for yearsto come, as the birds are absolutely unmolested by the native pop-ulation. Shotguns are unknown in these parts and anyhow theaverage Mexican has the utmost contempt for the smaller deer is about the smallest thing he cares to bother with. But to resume, after the turkey incident, we went climbing up-ward till we re
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