86 GALLING: Gallinaceous Birds 



VALLEY QUAIL 



(294a. Lophortyx californica vallicola) 10 in. 



Male: Slaty gray, with brown back and wings; black throat 

 and face; breast and belly feathers black-edged, giving scaled 

 effect; a rusty patch on belly; sides white-streaked. Plume of 

 several feathers, spreading at end; recurved, carried pointing 

 well forward. 



Female: Much duller; fore parts brownish; short plumes and 

 no throat-patch. 



Alarm-note an explosive "pit, pit." 



GAMBLE QUAIL 



(295. Lophortyx gambeli gambeli) 10 in. 



Male: Brownish gray above, neck and chest bluish gray; 

 belly buffy, enclosing black patch; sides brown, white-striped; 

 throat and face black, white-bordered; hind-neck chestnut; 

 plume similar to Valley Quail, but straighter. 



Female: Duller throughout; bluish gray replaced by brownish, 

 and throat patch lacking; plume shorter. 



Often hybridizes with the Valley Quail where their ranges 

 meet. 



MEARNS QUAIL 



(296. Cyrtonyx montezumae mearnsi) 9 in. 



Male: Back a fine mixture of black, brown, and buffy; wings 

 gray and buffy, black-spotted; a chestnut stripe down middle of 

 breast; otherwise under parts slaty black with round white spots; 

 head a clownish pattern of white, black, and brown. 



Female: Back as in male; under parts and wings similar to 

 back, but browner, without definite spotting; head unmarked. 



Popularly known as "Fool Quail." 



FAMILY GROUSE 



Large birds of Quail-like form, but with legs feathered to the 

 toes. Inhabit mountain forest, feeding mostly on tender buds of 

 conifers. 



