18S5.] Henshaw on a Hybrid Quail. 2 47 



HYBRID QUAIL {LOPHORTYX GAMBELI 

 x L. CALIFORNICUS). 



BY H. W. HENSHAW. 



As instances of undoubted hybridization among birds are 

 comparatively rare, the following case, or rather two cases, of hy- 

 bridization between the Californian Valley Quail {Lophortyx 

 californicus) and the Gambel's Quail {Lophortyx gambeli) 

 deserve record. 



While bearing a superficial resemblance to each other, these 

 two Quails seem to be specifically quite distinct. The former is 

 pretty closely confined to the West Coast, i. e., from the western 

 slope of the Sierras to the ocean. In the mountains it attains a 

 vertical range of 7000 or 8coo feet. The general area occupied is 

 well wooded and has a considerable rain-fall, though it is probable 

 that in the peninsula, where it appears to be abundant, it becomes 

 more or less of a desert bird. The Gambel's Quail is confined to 

 the southern portions of the Interior Basin, where it inhabits only 

 comparatively low altitudes. Though perhaps hardly to be termed 

 a desert Quail, the ai - ea it occupies receives on the whole a much 

 less copious rain-fall, and is consequently much more arid than 

 that inhabited by its congener. As the two species occupy regions 

 differing considerably in physical conditions, it was with much 

 interest that I learned during the past season that there is a locality 

 in San Bernardino County, California, along the line of the 

 Southern Pacific Railroad, where they come together. At this 

 point occur hybrids. 



While examining Mr. Stephens's fine collection of Arizona birds, 

 he called my attention to a ' hybrid Quail ' which he received 

 from Mr. Herron, of Colton, which he very kindly placed at my 

 disposal. Subsequently Mr. Herron, with equal courtesy, gave 

 me a second hybrid, which may have come from the same brood, 

 or which at any rate was shot in the same locality, viz.. the vicin- 

 ity of San Gorgonio Pass. The following descriptions will show 

 the chief characteristics of these hybrids. 



No. 1 most nearly resembles the California Quail. The brown of the 

 head inclines to chestnut, the latter being the color of the head in gambeli. 

 The anterior white band on the forehead is mixed with black. The feath- 

 ers on the sides and back of the neck, which in califomicus have two 



