GAMBEL PARTRIDGE 



295. Lophortyx gambclii. 10 in. 



Head with an elegant recurved crest of six or seven 

 feathers; normally these are carried in one packet so 

 that there appears to be but one feather, but when ex- 

 cited, or during the mating season, they may separate 

 the feathers, or sometimes curve them forward so as to 

 touch the bill. Hindhead and sides chestnut, throat and 

 middle of belly black. Female with the throat light 

 and hindhead gray; crest small; no black on belly. An 

 abundant species both in mountains, valleys or deserts, 

 near or remote from water. Habits like those of the 

 eastern Bob-white, but instead of taking wing, they will 

 generally run. 



Nest. Eggs laid on the ground under any suitable 

 cover; creamy-white, handsomely blotched with brown. 



Range. Resident in western Texas, New Mexico and 

 Arizona, north to southern Utah and Nevada. 



