2A.8 IIenshaw on a Hybrid Quail. [ July 



minute roundish white spots near the end, giving a mottled appearance to 

 these parts, are in this specimen unmarked with white except on the sides 

 of the neck anteriorly, where the spots appear, though less marked than 

 in the corresponding part of calij vrnicus; these parts, therefore, are nearly 

 as in gambeli. The wine-colored abdominal spot oi calif or nicus\% present, 

 but the feathers of the abdomen, instead of being tipped with a broad band 

 of black, giving the scale-like appearance ofcalifomicus, are only narrowly 

 so margined in the lower portion; while above, especially in the buflf- 

 colored area (which is as deep in this specimen as in calif ornicns), 

 the black margins are reduced to an extremely narrow fringe of black. 

 This specimen has the sides and flanks chestnut, as in gambeli, but the 

 chestnut is not so deep. The edging of the tertiaries is pale, as in gambeli. 

 No. 2 more nearly resembles gambeli. The crown patch is chestnut, 

 though hardly so light as in typical gambeli. The bristly feathers of the 

 forehead are much darker than in californicus, and nearly as in gambeli. 

 The feathers of the sides and back of neck show traces of white, but, as in 

 the other specimen, much more closely resemble gambeli. In the abdom- 

 inal spot the wine color of califomicus is but faintly visible, being over- 

 laid, so to speak, with black, thus being nearer gambeli. The spot on 

 the upper portion of the abdomen is yellowish-buff", but paler even than 

 in gambeli, the corresponding area in which bird it resembles in size and 

 shape. The broad black edgings to the feathers of the abdomen and breast 

 of califomicus are in this specimen, as in the other, mainly confined to 

 the lower portions, leaving the upper parts nearly immaculate. In this 

 specimen the chestnut on the side and flanks is like that in gambeli. The 

 edges of the tertiaries are very pale, as in gambeli. 



The intermediate character of the specimens thus cannot be 

 doubted, and is visible at a glance. But, it may be asked, What 

 certainty is there that these specimens are veritable hybrids be- 

 tween birds specifically distinct, and not the ordinary 'interme- 

 diates' which are usually conceded to be proof of specific identity, 

 not diversity? To such a query answer may be made that where 

 a species inhabits two regions so diverse in climatic and other 

 conditions as to produce at either extreme a variety or race, the 

 intermediate links showing that the two forms grade together 

 must come from areas intermediate, if not in actual geographical 

 position, at least in respect to climate, etc. In the present case 

 no such intermediate area exists. The California Valley Quail is 

 abundant clown to the very edge of the desert, within sight and 

 hearing, so to speak, of the home of the Gambel's Quail. Spec- 

 imens shot by myself within a few miles from the desert differ 

 in no respect from specimens from the interior valleys of Califor- 

 nia, and certainly show no indication of an approach to the char- 

 acters of gambeli. Specimens of the Gambel's Quail, on the 



