118 LAND BIRDS 
of the male is suggestive of the crowing of a young ban- 
tam, while the rallying cry of scattered birds is not unlike 
the yelping of young wild turkeys.” 
294. CALIFORNIA PARTRIDGE. — Lophortyx 
californicus. 
Famity: The Grouse, Partridges, Quails, ete. 
Length : 9.50. 
Adult Male: Crest black; nape dusky brown, bordered by black and 
white lines ; upper parts dusky brown, striped with chestnut along 
the sides of the back ; throat black, bordered by white; breast slate- 
color; belly, except chestnut patch, scaled; sides dusky brown, 
streaked with white. 
Adult Female: Head plain, with no black and white ; plumage uniform 
dusky brown; belly scaled; no chestnut on under parts; sides 
streaked with white. 
Young: Upper parts gray-brown; feathers of back and wing-coverts 
edged with dark gray and white; under parts white and gray. 
Geographical Distribution : Pacific coast region from Monterey to Oregon. 
Breeding Range: Nearly coincident with the Geographical Distribution. 
Breeding Season: April and May. 
Nest: A hollow near a rock or at foot of a tree trunk; scantily lined 
with grass; sometimes under hedge, bush, or brush-heap. 
Eggs: 8 to 10; buffy, thickly spotted with shades of brown. Size 
1.33 X 0.97. 
THE crest of the California Partridge is a little longer 
than that of the valley partridge, and tips forward in the 
same way. 
This handsome little partridge is unfortunately a 
favorite game bird, and, as such, has become not only 
somewhat scarce but exceedingly shy. It haunts the 
cafions and slopes covered with underbrush, as well as 
the sagebrush and stubble, and has learned to run to 
cover rather than to flush when pursued. In this way 
