GAMBEL PARTRIDGE
295. Lophortyx gambelii. 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 excited, 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.
